MIIITMI 


UNITED 


THE  LIBRARY 
OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


J 


MILITARY  HEROES 
OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 


Frontispiece,  Military  Heroes. 

Assassination  of  Colonel  Ellsworth. 


ALTEAMJS'   YOUNG    PEOPLE'S   LIBRARY 


MILITARY  MERGES 

or  THE 

UNITED  STATES 


PROA\   LEXINGTON  TO  SANTIAGO 


HARTWELL  (JAMES 


WITH   NINETY-POUR   ILLUSTRATIONS 


Copyright  1899  by  Henry  Altemus 


HENRY   ALTEAXUS   COMPANY 


tg) 

CONTENTS. 


INTRODUCTORY  5 

MILITARY  HEROES  OF  THE  U.  S 7 

PAUL  REVERE  10 

JOSEPH  WARREN   19 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  23 

ISRAEL  PUTNAM   36 

NATHAN   HALE    42 

ETHAN  ALLEN   46 

JOHN  STARK   52 

NATHANIEL  GREKNE  58 

ANTHONY  WAYNE   65 

FRANCIS  MARION   71 

HUGH  MERCER   77 

RICHARD  MONTGOMERY  81 

PHILIP  SCHUYLER  r 86 

BENEDICT  ARNOLD 90 

DANIEL   MORGAN    .                                                                          .  98 


1562998 


*v«  Contents. 

MARQUIS  DE  LAFAYETTE  . . ." 102 

ANDREW  JACKSON    '. 110 

SAM  HOUSTON  116 

ZACHARY    TAYLOR    m 

WINFIELD   SCOTT    : 127 

ULYSSES  S.  GRANT  131 

WILLIAM  T.  SHERMAN  139 

PHILIP  H.  SHERIDAN  146 

GEORGE  B.  McCLELLAN   153 

AMBROSE   E.   BURNSIDE    158 

GEORGE  H.  THOMAS   161 

JOSEPH  HOOKER 166 

GEORGE  G.  MEADE  169 

GEORGE   A.   CUSTER    175 

ELMER  E.  ELLSWORTH  179 

ROBERT   E.   LEE    183 

THOMAS  J.  JACKSON  189 

NELSON  A.  MILES   195 

JOSEPH  WHEELER   201 

THEODORE  ROOSEVELT  205 

HENRY  W.  LAWTON....  212 


INTRODUCTORY. 

"\T  0  apology  is  necessary  for  a  series  of  sketches  por- 
_±\  traying  intelligent  military  heroism.  It  is  right 
that  we  acclaim  our  heroes,  and  tell  the  stories  of 
their  lives  by  our  firesides. 

Heroic  traditions  make  heroic  nations,  and  while  it  does 
not  follow  that  those  who  handled  the  bayonet,  swung  the 
sabre,  or  sent  the  pitiless  shell  into  opposing  ranks  at 
Gettysburg  were  emulating  the  deeds  of  their  Fathers  in 
the  days  of  the  Ee volution,  or  that  those  who  swarmed  up 
the  hills  and  through  the  ingenious  entanglements  of  the 
Spanish  defenses  at  San  Juan  and  El  Caney  were  con- 
sciously stimulated  by  the  traditions  of  the  Civil  War;  yet 
the  love  of  country  and  humanity  was  there  and  set  the 
fighting  string  twanging  in  the  breast,  and  nerved  the  arm 
to  deeds  of  irresistible  valor. 

The  lives  of  the  commanding  figures  that  are  shown  on 
the  pages  of  American  military  history  are  worthy  of  emu- 
lation. From  Lexington  to  Santiago  the  story  is  the  same 
— the  record  is  splendid. 


MILITARY  HEROES 
OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 


MILITARY  HEROES 
OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

MASSACHUSETTS  was  the  soul  of  the  movement 
that  led  to  the  revolt  of  the  English  provinces  in 
America,  and  the  first  appeal  to  arms  between  the 
colonists  and  the  mother  country  took  place  upon  her  soil. 
George  III.  was  King,  and  General  Gage  occupied  the  city 
of  Boston  with  a  British  army  in  the  year  1775.     Both 
sides  were  making. preparations  for  the  coming  strife.     A 
"  Committee  of  Supplies  "  had  gathered  military  stores  at 
Concord,  and  learning  of  this,  Gage  sent  a  detachment  of 
about  eight  hundred  men  to  destroy  them,  on  the  night  of 


8 


Military  Heroes  of  ihe  United  States. 


April  18;  but  information  of  the  movement  had  reached 
the  Committee,  and  Dr.  Joseph  Warren  despatched  Wil- 
liam Dawes  through  Roxbury  and  Paul  Revere  by  way  of 
Charlestown  to  Lexington.  Revere  was  stopped  by  two 


British  officers,  but  being  mounted  on  a  fine  horse  he  es- 
caped. As  he  rode  through  Medford  he  aroused  the  cap- 
tains of  the  minute-men,  and  stopping  at  almost  every  house 
on  his  way  to  Lexington,  aroused  the  inhabitants  and 
spread  the  news.  Dawes  also  reached  Lexington  in  safety. 


10  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


PAUL   REVERE. 

THIS  American  patriot  was  born  on  January  1,  1735, 
in  the  city  of  Boston.  His  occupation  was  that  of 
a  goldsmith,  but  he  learned  the  art  of  engraving  on 
copper,  and  in  1775  engraved  and  printed  the  paper  money 
ordered  by  Congress.  He  was  one  of  the  band  who  threw 
the  tea  overboard  in  Boston  harbor.  He  died  in  Boston, 
May  10,  1818,  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  Long- 
fellow immortalized  him  in  a  stirring  poem  entitled  "  Paul 
Kevere's  Ride." 

Samuel  Prescott  spread  the  alarm  from  Lexington  to 
Concord,  and  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  alarm 
bell  on  the  belfry  in  the  meeting-house  brought  together 
the  inhabitants,  young  and  old,  with  their  firelocks.  Mes- 
sengers were  sent  to  other  villages,  and  stores  and  pro- 
visions were  hurried  away  and  secreted  in  the  woods. 

At  Lexington,  at  about  the  same  hour,  the  village  green 
was  thronged  with  excited  men.  The  aged  stood  shoulder 
to  shoulder  with  their  sons,  and  by  their  example  and 
experience  gave  encouragement  and  strength  to  the  undis- 
ciplined mass.  One  hundred  and  thirty  men  had  answered 
to  their  names.  Captain  John  Parker,  their  commander 
had  ordered  each  piece  loaded  with  powder  and  ball;  bu"1; 
the  men  were  instructed  not  to  be  the  first  to  fire.  No 
signs  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy  being  visible,  they  were 
dismissed  with  orders  to  reassemble  at  the  roll  of  thu 
drum. 


12  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

i 

The  foremost  party  of  the  British  came  in  sight  about 
eleven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of  April  19,  led  by  Major 
Pitcairn.  Knowing  that  their  errand  was  discovered,  six 
companies  of  light  infantry  were  despatched  to  Concord  to 
secure  the  two  bridges  over  the  river,  and  messengers  were 
sent  to  Boston  for  reinforcements.  As  the  drums  beat  the 
alarm,  about  seventy  men  assembled  on  the  village  green, 
nearly  half  of  whom  were  without  arms.  Captain  Parker 
ordered  them  to  go  to  the  meeting-house  and  equip  them- 
selves and  then  join  the  company.  Thirty-eight  men  who 
were  armed  he  formed  into  line,  in  single  file,  at  the  north 
end  of  the  green.  Before  those  who  were  in  the  meeting- 
house could  equip  themselves,  Pitcairn's  men  came  up  and 
cut  them  off  from  the  little  band  under  Parker.  Pitcairn 
marched  his  men  to  about  fifty  feet  from  the  handful  of 
patriots,  and  then,  brandishing  his  sword,  he  shouted: 
"Disperse,  you  villains!  Lay  down  your  arm?!  Why  don't 
you  disperse,  you  rebels?  Disperse!"  The  patriots  stood 
their  ground,  and  then  Pitcairn  gave  the  order  to  "  Fire!" 
The  order  was  followed  first  by  a  few  guns,  which  did  no 
execution,  and  then  by  a  close  and  deadly  discharge  of 
musketry.  In  the  disparity  of  numbers,  Parker  ordered 
every  man  to  take  care  of  himself,  and  they  accordingly 
dispersed.  While  doing  so,  the  second  platoon  of  the  enemy 
fired,  killing  several  and  wounding  others.  Then,  and  not 
till  then,  did  a  few  of  the  patriots,  on  their  o^;i  impulse, 
return  the  British  fire.  These  random  shots  of  fugitives  or 
dying  men  did  no  harm.  Seven  of  the  patriots  were  killed 
and  nine  wounded.  One  who  was  taken  prisoner  was  shot 
:n  his  endeavor  to  escape.  Thus  the  first  skirmish  for  lib- 
erty was  fought. 


Paul  Revere.  13 

The  British  pushed  on  to  Concord  and  destroyed  the 
stores.  The  liberty-pole  and  several  gun-carriages  were 
burned;  the  court-house  took  fire,  but  the  fire  was  extin- 
guished. By  this  time  some  four  hundred  patriots  had 
gathered  on  the  rising  ground  above  Concord  bridge. 
"Will  you  let  them  burn  down  the  town?"  cried  one. 
Taking  counsel  together,  the  entire  body  resolved  "  To 
march  into  the  middle  of  the  town  for  its  defense,  or  die 
in  the  attempt."  Colonel  Barrett,  who  was  in  command, 
gave  orders  to  advance,  but  not  to  fire  unless  attacked. 
"  I  have  not  a  man  that  is  afraid  to  go,"  said  Isaac  Davis, 
of  Acton,  and  drawing  his  sword,  he  cried:  "March!"  At 
the  head  of  his  men  he  led  the  way  to  the  bridge,  with 
Major  Buttrick,  of  Concord,  by  his  side,*  followed  by  the 
minute-men  and  militia.  The  British  began  to  take  up 
the  planks;  to  prevent  it  the  patriots  quickened  their  steps. 
At  this  the  British  fired  one  or  two  shots  up  the  river; 
then  another,  by  which  two  were  wounded.  A  volley  fol- 
lowed, and  Isaac  Davis  and  Abner  Hosmer  fell  dead.  Then 
Major  Buttrick  gave  the  order,  "  Fire,  fellow  soldiers;  for 
God's  sake,  fire!"  and  a  general  discharge  from  the  whole 
line  of  patriots  was  given,  several  of  the  enemy,  including 
three  lieutenants,  falling  on  the  spot.  In  two  minutes  all 
was  hushed.  The  British  retreated  in  disorder  towards 
their  main  body;  the  countrymen  were  left  in  possession  of 
the  bridge. 

At  this  world-renowned  Battle  of  Concord  the  patriots 
acted  from  impulse,  and  at  first  attempted  no  pursuit,  but 
as  the  British  forces  retreated  the  militia  ran  over  the  lines 
and  ambushed  the  flying  troops.  Every  piece  of  woods, 
every  rock  by  the  wayside,  served  as  a  lurking  place.  The 

a— Military  Heroes 


14  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

hills  seemed  to  the  British  to  swarm  with  "  rebels "  as 
an  unintermitted  fire  was  poured  on  them  from  behind 
stone  walls  and  trees.  The  British  began  to  rim  rather 
than  retreat  in  order.  Their  officers  vainly  tried  to  stop 
their  flight,  for  they  were  being  driven  before  the  Ameri- 
cans like  sheep.  About  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  rein- 
forcements met  them,  and  forming  into  a  square  enclosed 
the  fugitives,  who  lay  down  for  rest  on  the  ground,  "  their 
tongues  hanging  out  of  their  mouths  like  those  of  dngs 
after  a  chase."  After  a  rest  of  half  an  hour  the  British 
resumed  their  retreat,  but  the  patriots  dogged  every  step 
and  finally  drove  them  under  the  guns  of  the  ships-of-war 
in  the  harbor  of  Boston. 

After  Lexington  and  Concord  the  militia  hurried  to 
Boston.  As  their  terms  of  service  expired  other  troops 
were  enlisted.  There  was  great  want  of  money,  clothing 
and  ammunition.  The  Committee  of  Safety  decided  "  That 
Bunker's  Hill  be  maintained  by  sufficient  force  being 
posted  there,"  and  on  the  night  of  June  16,  1775,  about 
one  thousand  men,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  William 
Prescott,  assembled  on  Cambridge  Common.  After  a 
prayer  by  President  Langdon,  of  Harvard  College,  the 
troops  marched  to  Breed's  Hill,  "  as  being  the  more  com- 
manding site,"  and  there  entrenchments  were  thrown  up; 
yet  the  memorable  engagement  that  followed  will  always 
be  known  as  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  So  rapidly  did 
the  patriots  ply  their  entrenching  tools  through  the  hot 
night  that  by  daylight  the  breastworks  "  assumed  form  and 
height  and  capacity  for  defense." 

About  three  o'clock,  on  June  17,  the  British  troops 
advanced  to  the  assault.  Twice  the  patriots'  terrible  fire 


16 


Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


drove  them  back  in  confusion,  but  their  ammunition  gave 
out,  and  after  the  third  attack  they  were  obliged  to  retreat 


Death  of  Major  Pitcairn. 

across  Charlestown  neck.    The  slaughter  among  Jtoe  Brit- 
ish was  terrific.    Amonsr  those  shot  down  was  Major  Pit- 


I 


18  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

cairn,  who  had  ordered  the  "rebels"  to  disperse  at  Lex- 
ington. "  Nothing,"  wrote  a  British  officer,  "  could  be 
more  shocking  than  the  carnage  that  followed  the  storming 
of  this  work.  "We  tumbled  over  the  dead  to  get  at  the 
living,  who  were  crowding  out  of  the  gorge  of  the  redoubt 


Prescott's  Men  in  the  Redoubt. 

in  order  to  form  under  the  defenses  which  they  had  pre- 
pared to  cover  their  retreat."  Before  the  British  attacked, 
the  tall  form  of  Prescott  was  seen  walking  leisurely  along 
the  parapet  to  inspire  his  men.  General  Gage,  in  Boston, 
by  the  aid  of  a  glass,  could  plainly  see  his  commanding 


Joseph  Warren.  19 

figure,  and  turning  to  Counselor  Willard,  who  stood  near 
him,  asked  who  it  was.  Willard,  recognizing  his  brother- 
in-law,  said:  "That  is  Colonel  Prescott."  "Will  he 
fight?"  inquired  Gage.  "Yes,  sir,"  replied  Willard;  "he 
is  an  old  soldier,  and  will  fight  as  long  as  a  drop  of  blood 
remains  in  his  veins."  "The  works  must  be  carried  im- 
mediately," responded  Gage,  as  he  turned  upon  his  heel  to 
give  orders. 

Prescott  was  the  last  to  leave  the  fort.  Though  his  coat 
and  waistcoat  were  pierced  with  bayonet-thrusts,  which  he 
parried  with  his  sword,  he  got  off  unhurt.  Among  the 
killed  was  Dr.  Joseph  Warren,  one  of  the  most  active  and 
distinguished  of  the  patriots. 


JOSEPH   WARDEN. 

JOSEPH  WARREN  was  born  on  July  11,  1741,  at 
Roxbury,  Massachusetts.  He  was  a  brilliant  scholar, 
and  after  his  graduation  from  Harvard  College 
studied  medicine  and  became  one  of  the  best  physicians  in 
Boston.  He  early  espoused  the  cause  of  liberty  and  became 
a  firm  supporter  of  the  cause  of  the  colonists.  He  pos- 
sessed a  fine,  magnetic  presence  and  an  engaging  address, 
and  became  known  as  a  fluent  writer  and  an  eloquent 
speaker.  In  1768  he  was  one  of  the  influential  members 
of  the  "  Sons  of  Liberty/'  and  it  is  recorded  that  "  no  im- 
portant measures  were  taken  without  consulting  him  and 
his  particular  friends."  He  filled  various  high  offices  in  the 
history  of  the  colonies,  and  succeeded  John  Hancock  as 


20  Military  Hero.es  of  the  United  States. 

President  of  the  Provincial  Congress.  When  the  fourth  an* 
niversary  of  the  Boston  massacre  arrived  Warren  solicited 
the  privilege  of  delivering  the  anniversary  address,  in  spite 
of  the  threats  of  the  British  officers  that  "They  would  take 
the  life  of  any  man  who  would  dare  speak  on  that  occa- 
sion." In  an  eloquent  speech,  in  which  he  pictured  the 
wrongs  of  the  colonists,  he  declared  that  "  Resistance  to 
tyrants  is  obedience  to  God." 

Warren  was  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  and 
was  commissioned  a  major-general  four  days  previous 
to  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  To  a  friend  who  urged 
him  not  to  be  present  on  that  occasion,  and  who 
predicted  his  death  if  he  participated  in  the  inevitable 
engagement,  Warren  replied :  "  It  is  sweet  to  die  for 
one's  country."  Warren  reached  the  redoubt  on  Breed's 
Hill  just  before  the  battle  opened,  public  business 
having  prevented  him  from  arriving  sooner.  Colonel 
Prescott  oit'ercd  him  the  command  and  asked  for  or- 
ders, but  he  replied  that  it  was  honor  enough  to  serve  un- 
der so  brave  an  officer,  and,  borrowing  a  musket,  rushed 
into  the  thickest  of  the  fight.  When  the  patriots'  ammu- 
nition was  spent,  and  the  Americans  had  begun  their  sullen 
retreat,  Warren  was  among  the  last  to  leave  the  field.  A 
musket  ball  struck  him  in  the  head  and  killed  him.  He 
was  buried  on  the  spot  where  he  fell,  but  during  the  next 
year  his  remains  were  removed  to  the  family  vault  in  Bos- 
ton. Eventually  they  were  placed  in  St.  Paul's  Church,  in 
that  city.  In  1794  a  monument  was  raised  to  his  memory 
in  Charlestown.  In  1857  a  statue  of  General  Warren  was 
enclosed  in  Bunker  Hill  Monument. 

Congress  met  for  the  second  time  after  the  skirmish  at 
Lexington  and  the  more  decisive  engagement  at  Concord. 


Joseph  Warren. 


21 


22  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

A  military  Confederacy  was  formed,  and  General  George 
Washington  was  the  unanimous  choice  for  commander-in- 


Death  of  General  Warren. 

chief  of  the  Continental  Army.  He  declined  compensation 
for  his  sendees,  asking  only  that  his  expenses  be  defrayed. 
He  immediately  started  for  Boston,  then  occupied  by  a 
British  army.  On  his  way  there  when  he  was  told  that  the 
patriots  had  stood  their  ground  until  their  ammu- 
nition was  expended,  he  exclaimed:  "The  liberties  of  our 
country  are  safe!" 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  the  first  commander-in- 
chief  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  was  born 
in  Westmoreland    County,  Virginia,  February    22, 
1732.     His  father  was  Augustine  Washington,  whose  an- 
cestry can  be  traced  back  to  the  year  1183.    The  house  in 
which  Washington  was  born  was  burned  down  when  he  was 
a  boy,  but  the  spot  where  it  stood  is  marked  by  a  stone  slab. 
When  Washington  was  a  boy  of  eleven  years  his  father  died, 
and  he  grew  up  under  the  tender  care  of  his  mother.    His 

23 


24  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

education  was  that  afforded  by  the  common  schools  of  the 
neighborhood,  but  later  he  studied  surveying  and  book- 
keeping. His  copy-books  show  that  he  wrote  a  very  neat 
hand.  He  excelled  in  athletic  sports,  and  was  proficient  in 
horsemanship.  He  was,  from  his  youth,  noted  for  honor 
and  truthfulness.  Among  the  many  anecdotes  related  of 
the  boyhood  of  Washington  is  the  story  of  how  he  muti- 
lated one  of  his  father's  cherry  trees.  When  questioned 
about  the  matter  he  did  not  deny  it,  but  said: 

"  Father,  I  cannot  tell  a  lie;  I  cut  the  tree." 

"  I  had  rather  lose  a  thousand  trees  than  find  falsehood 
in  my  son,"  replied  his  father,  as  he  tenderly  embraced 
him. 

Later  in  .his  life,  at  a  social  gathering  given  in  honor  of 
her  son,  his  venerable  mother  stood  by  his  side,  and,  as 
the  clocks  struck  the  hour  of  nine,  she  laid  her  hand  upon 
his  shoulder,  and  said :  "  Come,  George,  it  is  time  to  re- 
tire. Late  hours  are  injurious."  Throughout  his  life  Wash- 
ington retained  the  habits  of  obedience,  sobriety  and  punc- 
tuality which  he  learned  from  his  mother. 

Washington's  father  left  a  large  estate,  and,  after  the 
death  of  his  brother  Lawrence,  Washington  inherited  the 
estate  of  Mount  Vernon.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  began 
the  profession  of  a  civil  engineer,  and  spent  a  year  in  sur- 
veying the  immense  possessions  of  Lord  Fairfax  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley.  Later  he  became  the  public  surveyor, 
and  when  nineteen  was  a  major  commanding  a  military  dis- 
trict. 

When  England  and  France  grappled  in  combat  for  the 
possession  of  America,  the  Governor  of  Virginia  sent  the 
young  surveyor  on  a  perilous  mission  across  the  trackless 


Washington  as  a  Young  Man. 


26  Military  Heroes  of  tlie  United  State*, 

wilds  to  a  French  fort  near  Lake  Erie.  On  his  return  he 
was  in  great  danger  from  the  Indians,  and  nearly  lost  his 
life  in  crossing  the  Allegheny  1'iver.  For  this  service  he 
received  the  thanks  of  the  Legislature  of  his  State.  As  a 
lieutenant-colonel  he  was  sent,  in  1754,  with  a  regiment,  to 
build  forts  near  the  Ohio  Eiver,  and  to  drive  away  the 
French.  He  built  Fort  Necessity  and  killed  or  captured  a 
detachment  of  French  soldiers.  Later  he  was  attacked  by 
a  French  force  superior  to  his  own  and  was  obliged  to  sur- 
render. Eventually  he  and  his  troops  were  allowed  to 
return  to  Virginia.  He  continued  to  serve  during  the  re- 
mainder of  the  French  and  Indian  war,  and  after  the  de- 
feat of  General  Brad  dock  he  saved  the  army  by  his  skill 
and  courage. 

It  was  a  beautiful  summer's  day  when  Braddock  and  his 
army  of  two  thousand  men  entered  a  defile  upon  the  banks 
of  the  Monongahela.  The  underbrush  grew  thick  and  high 
and  the  great  trees  cast  deep  shadows  on  the  army  as  it 
confidently  advanced  with  waving  banners  and  gleaming 
muskets.  Suddenly  a  well-directed  volley  from  the  French, 
who,  with  their  Indian  allies,  had  planned  the  ambuscade, 
was  poured  into  the  British  ranks.  Not  a  foe  was  to  be 
seen,  but  their  deadly  rifles  sent  a  message  of  death  from 
every  tree  and  thicket.  Nearly  half  of  the  British  forces 
fell  under  the  murderous  fire  of  the  enemy,  and  then,  un- 
used to  border  warfare,  they  turned  and  fled  in  the  utmost 
confusion.  General  Braddock  lost  bis  life,  but  Washing- 
ton, with  cool  valor,  saved  the  British  army  from  total  de- 
struction. He  was  in  the  most  exposed  and  dangerous  part 
of  the  defile;  two  horses  were  shot  under  him  and  four  bul- 
lets tore  through  his  coat,  but  he  seemed  to  bear  a  charmed 


Washington  at  Fort  Duquesne. 


27 


28  Military  Heroes  of  Hie  United  States. 

life.  Eallying  a  few  of  the  provincials,  he  placed  them  be- 
hind trees,  and  when  the  Indians  rushed  from  their  places 
of  concealment  to  scalp  the  dead  and  tomahawk  the  dying, 
they  were  greeted  with  such  a  deadly  fire  that  the  shattered 
army  was  able  to  beat  a  hasty  retreat. 

Washington's  health  was  now  impaired  by  active  warfare 
against  the  Indians,  who  were  a  constant  menace  to  the 
settlements,  and  he  retired  from  the  service  in  1759.  In 
the  same  year  he  married  Mrs.  Martha  Custis,  a  beautiful 
and  wealthy  young  widow,  and  retired  to  his  estate  at 
Mount  Vernon,  leading  the  life  of  a  rich  planter,  and  be- 
coming a  member  of  the  Virginia  Legislature.  He  always 
took  a  deep  interest  in  public  affairs.  When  the  odious 
"  Stamp  Act  "  was  inflicted  upon  the  colonists,  Washington 
discountenanced  "  the  use  of  all  British  merchandise  taxed 
by  Parliament  to  raise  a  revenue  in  America,"  Other  op- 
pressive measures  followed,  and  when  the  first  Continental 
Congress  met  in  Philadelphia,  Washington  was  a  member 
of  that  immortal  body,  exhibiting  the  loftiest  patriotism. 

Washington  was  appointed  Commarder-in-Chief  of  the 
American  Armies  on  June  15,  1775.  He  reached  the  camp 
before  Boston  on  July  2, and  immediately  demonstrated  his 
great  organizing  genius  in  making  an  army  out  of  the  raw 
material  he  found  there.  Everything  was  in  confusion;  Men 
were  lodged  in  tents  and  huts;  provisions  and  powder  were 
scarce.  His  subordinates  hampered  him  by  divided  coun- 
sels. Almost  his  first  offensive  movement  was  to  fortify 
Dorchester  Heights,  a  line  of  hills  to  the  southwest  of  Bos- 
ton. After  a  siege  of  eight  months  he  compelled  the  Brit- 
ish to  leave  Boston,  and  he  then  moved  his  army  to  New 
York.  At  this  point  he  was  attacked  by  a  British  army 


The  Declaration  of  Independence  Read  to  the  Army. 

3 — Military  Heroes 


29 


30  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

much  larger  than  his  own,  commanded  by  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton. The  battle  of  Long  Island,  near  Brooklyn,  was 
fought  on  August  27,  1776,  and  Washington  was  de- 
feated. Obliged  to  give  up  New  York  to  the  enemy,  he 
fought  and  lost  the  battle  of  White  Plains,  and  then  re- 
treated through  New  Jersey,  pursued  by  General  Cornwal- 
lis.  By  heavy  marching,  Washington  reached  the  Dela- 
ware Eiver  a  few  hours  before  Cornwallis,  and,  crowding 
his  men  into  as  few  boats  as  possible,  he  began  the  perilous 
voyage  to  the  Pennsylvania  side.  The  battle  with  the 
storm  that  night  was  fiercer  than  a  battle  with  the  British 
would  have  been.  Through  snow  and  sleet  and  floating  ice 
the  half-starved,  scantily-clad  remnant  of  the  Continental 
army  fought  their  way  and  landed  in  Pennsylvania.  On 
the  Christmas  morning  following,  he  recrossed  the  river 
and  fell  upon  the  British  army  at  Trenton,  in  the  midst 
of  their  Christmas  revelry,  and  took  over  a  thousand  pris- 
oners. He  recrossed  the  Delaware  that  night. 

On  the  morning  of  January  3,  1777,  Washington  again 
crossed  the  Delaware  and  attacked  the  British  at  Prince- 
ton, compelling  them  to  retreat.  This  battle  was  a  decided 
victory  for  the  Americans,  but,  owing  to  the  condition  of 
his  army,  scantily  supplied  with  food,  poorly  clad,  often 
barefooted,  Washington  was  unable  to  follow  up  the  vic- 
tory as  he  wished,  and  so  went  into  winter  quarters.  On 
September  11,  Washington  was  defeated  at  the  battle  of 
Brandywine,  and  the  British  took  Philadelphia.  He  was 
again  defeated  at  Germantown,  and  afterwards  wintered  at 
Valley  Forge,  where  the  army  suffered  great  privations. 
In  June,  1778,  the  British  retreated  from  Philadelphia, 
and  the  battle  of  Monmouth  followed  on  June  28,  with 


32  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

the  result  that  the  British  retreated  after  a  hotly  contested 
engagement.  Washington  did  not  participate  in  any  great 
battles  during  1779  and  1780,  but  in  1781  he  besieged 


Cornwallis  at  Yorktown,  Virginia.  The  British  surren- 
dered on  October  19,  1781,  and  this  act  destroyed  the  last 
hope  of  England's  ever  being  able  to  subdue  America.  In 


George  Washington. 


33 


November,  1783,  Great  Britain  acknowledged  without  re- 
serve the  independence  of  the  United  States. 

Throughput  the  war 
the  labors  of  Washington 
were  incessant .  He  lost 
more  battles  than  he  won, 
but  through  his  untiring 
efforts,  his  self-sacrifice 
and  perseverance,  he  won 


Qgton   Inaugurated  President. 


34  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


the  love  and  respect  of  all  Americans,  and  when  the  colonies 
became  free  and  independent  he  was  acclaimed  as  the 
Father  of  his  Country.  For  eight  weary,  toilsome,  suffer- 
ing years  he  held  the  command  of  the  patriot  forces,  tak- 
ing leave  of  the  army  on  December  4,  1783,  and  retiring 
to  private  life.  When  the  confederacy  of  states  was 
formed  into  a  nation,  he  was  the  unanimous  choice  for  its 
first  President,  and  wisely  directed  its  affairs  for  two  terms 
of  four  years  each.  In  1796  he  sent  a  farewell  address  to 
Congress  and  refused  another  re-election.  Again  he  retired 
to  Mount  Vernon,  but  when  war  with  France  was  imminent 
he  was  called  to  be  again  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  army. 
He  died  at  Mount  Vernon  on  December  14,  1799,  before 
the  French  question  was  settled,  after  an  illness  of  two 
davs. 


Washington's  House,  Mount  Vernon. 


35 


36          Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


ISRAEL  PUTNAM. 

ISRAEL  PUTNAM,  one  of  the  best-known  generals  of 
the  Revolution,  was  born  in  Salem,  Massachusetts, 
January  7,  1718.  He  grew  up  a  plain,  sturdy  far- 
mer's boy,  fond  of  athletic  sports  and  excelling  in  all  vig- 
orous pastimes.  A  resolute  courage  was  one  of  the  most 
striking  traits  in  his  character,  and  it  is  related  of  him  that 
he  once  administered  a  sound  thrashing  to  a  Boston  boy 
who  ridiculed  him  as  a  rustic.  Putnam  married  early  in 
life,  and  in  1740  became  a  farmer  in  the  town  of  Pomfret, 
Connecticut,  following  this  occupation  for  some  fifteen 
years.  It  was  during  this  period  that  he  had  his  famous 
adventure  with  a  wolf.  It  seems  that  this  wolf  committed 
depredations  on  the  sheep  in  that  neighborhood,  and  some 
of  the  farmers  declared  that  it  must  be  bewitched,  for  it 
had  escaped  them  so  many  times.  One  morning,  in  winter, 
Putnam  found  two  of  his  sheep  killed,  and  a  path  in  the 
snow  which  marked  the  way  the  wolf  had  gone.  Getting 
his  gun  he  followed  the  trail  to  a  dark  cave  in  the  moun- 
tains. He  explored  the  cave,  and  finding  it  deep  he  went 
for  assistance,  returning  with  a  party  of  neighbors  and  a 
rope.  Putnam  tied  the  rope  about  his  waist,  and,  with  his 
gun  in  one  hand  and  a  torch  in  the  other,  was  lowered  into 
the  darkness.  Reaching  solid  ground  he  saw  in  a  corner  a 
pair  of  gleaming  eyes  and  a  row  of  glistening  teeth.  The 
beast  rushed  at  him,  but  he  did  not  flinch.  He  killed  the 


General  Israel  Putnam. 


87 


38  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

wolf  with  one  shot,  and  was  then  drawn  out  of  the  cave  by 
his  friends. 

When  the  French  and  Indian  war  broke  out,  Putnam 
was  given  a  company  of  Connecticut  troops.  He  was  then 
thirty-six  years  of  age,  strong  and  fearless,  delighting  in  a 
life  of  activity  and  danger.  He  was  an  invaluable  ranger, 
or  scout,  and  passed  through  many  exciting  adventures. 
At  one  time  a  fire  broke  out  in  Fort  Edward,  and  the  mag- 
azine was  in  danger.  Putnam,  who  was  stationed  at  no 
great  distance  from  the  fort,  hurried  to  the  scene.  He 
sprang  onto  the  roof  of  the  burning  building  and  poured 
water  onto  the  flames  as  fast  as  it  could  be  passed  to  him 
from  the  ground  below.  His  mittens  were  burned  from 
his  hands,  but  a  fresh  pair  was  handed  to  him  and  he 
worked  on  until  the  structure  fell  in  ruins.  Then  for  more 
than  an  hour  he  continued  to  pour  water  onto  the  blazino 
mass,  until  the  last  spark  was  extinguished  and  the  maga- 
zine, containing  three  hundred  barrels  of  powder,  was 
saved.  Putnam's  injuries  were  so  severe  that  he  was  in- 
capacitated for  service  for  several  weeks.  After  several 
hair-breadth  escapes  from  the  Indians,  who  had  come  to  re- 
gard him  as  specially  favored  by  their  "  Great  Spirit,"  Put- 
nam was  captured  by  a  band  of  Indians  led  by  a  French 
officer.  He  was  tied  to  a  tree  and  subjected  to  various 
tortures,  and  at  last  fagots  of  wood  were  piled  around  him 
and  lighted.  In  a  few  moments  he  would  have  perished, 
but  the  French  officer  in  command  of  the  Indians  rescued 
him.  After  a  term  of  imprisonment  an  exchange  of  pris- 
oners was  affected  and  Putnam  returned  home.  His  next 
military  service  was  in  the  war  between  England  and  Spain, 
in  1759,  when  he  commanded  a  Connecticut  regiment  and 
assisted  in  the  siege  of  Havana. 


40  Military  Heroes  »f  the  United  States. 

After  this  war  Putnam  again  retired  to  his  farm  and  was 
plowing  in  the  field  when  the  news  that  patriot  blood  had 
been  spilled  at  Lexington  reached  him.  Without  stopping 
to  change  his  clothes,  he  mounted  a  horse  and  set  off  for 
the  camp  before  Boston,  leaving  his  plow  in  the  field.  The 
state  of  Connecticut  made  him  a  brigadier-general,  and  he 
threw  himself  into  the  patriot  cause  with  all  his  resolution 
and  courage.  He  participated  in  the  battle  of  Bunker 
Hill,  and  after  the  evacuation  of  Boston  by  the  British  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  city.  Later  he  was  in  command 
of  the  American  army  at  New  York,  and  when  that  city 
was  invested  by  the  British  he  contrived  to  get  his  forces 
away  in  safety.  Still  later  Washington  placed  him  in  com- 
mand of  Philadelphia  and  afterwards  he  operated  in  New 
Jersey,  where  his  strategy  and  skill  enabled  him  to  success- 
fully oppose  large  bodies  of  British  troops. 

In  1777,  Putnam  was  defending  Stamford.  He  had  only 
one  hundred  and  fifty  militia-men  and  two  old  cannon. 
He  was  attacked  by  fifteen  hundred  British  soldiers,  but 
/  for  a  long  time  defended  himself  and  kept  the  red-coats  at 
bay.  Finding,  at  last,  that  he  must  inevitably  be  overpow- 
ered by  the  force  against  him,  he  ordered  his  men  to  re- 
treat into  a  neighboring  swamp.  He  was  the  last  man  to 
leave  the  field,  and  being  closely  followed  by  British  horse- 
men, he  turned  in  the  direction  of  "  Breakneck  Stairs," 
as  they  were  called.  These  were  one  hundred  steps  cut  in 
the  solid  rock  in  the  hillside,  and  were  used  by  the  country 
people  ascending  the  hill  to  go  to  church.  Giving  his 
horse  the  rein,  he  dashed  down  the  steps  at  full  speed. 
None  of  his  pursuers  dared  follow  him.  Their  shots  flew 
about  him,  but  he  made  the  descent  in  safety,  receiving 
no  other  injury  than  a  "bullet  hole  through  his  hat. 


Israel  Putnam. 


41 


At  another  time,  Putnam  captured  a  Tory  spy  and  sen- 
tenced him  to  be  executed.  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  the  British 
commander,  sent  a  flag  of  truce  to  Putnam's  camp,  and 
claimed  the  man  as  a  British  soldier.  Putnam's  reply  to 
the  demand  was:  "Edmund  Palmer,  an  officer  in  the 
enemy's  service,  was  taken  as  a  spy,  lurking  within  our 
lines.  He  has  been  tried  as  a  spy,  condemned  as  a  spy, 
and  shall  be  executed  as  a  spy,  and  the  flag  is  ordered  to 
depart  immediately.  P.S.  He  has  been  accordingly  exe- 
cuted." *  j 

Putnam's  military  service  continued  until  he  was  stricken 
with  paralysis,  in  1779.  The  old  hero  never  recovered 
from  this  attack,  but  his  death  did 
not  occur  until  May  19,  1790.  He 
was  buried  with  military  honors,  and 
remembered  as  a  brave  and  noble  man 
and  a  devoted  patriot. 


Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


NATHAN  HALE. 

NATHAN  HALE,  the  young  martyr,  patriot  and 
hero,  was  born  in  Coventry,  Connecticut,  June  6, 
1755.  His  father  was  Richard  Hale,  a  descendant 
of  one  Robert  Hale,  who  settled  in  Massachusetts  in  1632. 
As  an  infant,  Nathan  was  feeble,  but  as  he  advanced  in 
years  he  developed  into  a  robust  child;  sweet  tempered 
and  possessed  of  many  graces  of  person.  He  loved  out-of-- 
door sports  and  excelled  in  all  athletic  games.  He  was 
brought  up  strictly,  being  taught  to  observe  the  Chris- 
tian Sabbath  and  to  reverence  ministers  and  magistrates. 
His  parents  destined  him  for  the  ministry,  and  when  but 
sixteen  years  of  age  he  entered  Yale  College.  He  gradu- 
ated from  this  institution  in  1773  with  the  highest  honors. 
His  personal  appearance  is  described  as  being  notable. 

"  He  was  almost  six  feet  in  height,  perfectly  propor- 
tioned, and  in  figure  and  deportment  he  was  the  most 
manly  man  I  ever  met,"  is  the  testimony  of  one  who  knew 
him  well.  His  chest  was  broad;  his  muscles  were  firm; 
his  face  wore  a  most  benign  expression;  his  complexion 
was  roseate;  his  eyes  were  light  blue  and  beamed  with  in- 
telligence; his  hair  was  soft  and  light  brown  in  color;  and 
his  speech  was  rather  low,  sweet,  and  musical.  His  per- 
sonal beauty  and  grace  of  manner  were  most  charming. 

After  graduating  from  college,  Hale  became  a  school 
teacher  at  East  Haddam,  Connecticut,  and  then  became  an 


Nathan  Hale. 


instructor  in  a 
high-grade  gram- 
mar school  at 
New  London,  in 
the  same  state. 
Here  he  made 
many  loving 
friends,  and 
moved  in  the  best 
society.  He  was 
betrothed  to  a 
beautiful  girl 
named  Alice 
Adams,  who  was 
one  of  his  pupils . 
His  orderly  life 
was  interrupted 
by  the  news  of 
bloodshed  at  Lex- 
ington and  Con- 
cord, and  he  em- 
braced th  e  patriot 
cause  at  once . 
"Let  us  march 
immediately  and 
never  lay  down 
our  arms  until  we 
have  obtained 
our  independ- 
ence !  "  were  his 
words  to  those 
who  assembled  at 
the  hastily  called 
town  meeting. 


44  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

Volunteers  were  enrolled  that  night  and  Hale  was 
among  them.  The  next  day  he  bade  farewell  to  his 
pupils  and  started  for  the  patriot  camp  before  Bos- 
ton. Later  Hale  became  a  lieutenant,  and  participated 
in  the  siege  of  Bostor.  He  was  then  made  a  cap- 
tain and  accompanied  the  American  army  to  New  York. 
While  there  he  performed  a  hazardous  feat.  With  a  boat's 
crew,  he  surprised  a  British  supply  vessel,  drove  the  crew 
below  decks  and  brought  the  prize  to  the  city,  where  her 
cargo  was  distributed  among  the  hungry  soldiers  of  the 
army. 

After  the  Americans  were  defeated  at  Long  Island, 
Washington  was  informed  that  the  British  intended  to 
make  an  advance  up  the  river.  It  was  important  to  decide 
whether  the  city  of  New  York  -should  be  defended  or  aban- 
doned. It  became  necessary  to  send  a  competent  person, 
in  disguise,  into  the  British  lines  to  learn  the  intentions 
of  the  enemy.  A  number  of  officers  were  called  together, 
the  hazardous  nature  of  the  undertaking  was  explained, 
and  a  volunteer  was  called  for.  While  the  conference  was 
going  on,  Hale  entered,  bearing  the  marks  of  recent  illness, 
and  exclaimed,  "  I  will  undertake  it!"  His  friends  en- 
deavored to  dissuade  him,  but  he  was  not  to  be  turned  from 
his  purpose.  He  knew  that  if  he  was  caught  his  death 
would  be  that  of  a  spy,  yet  he  said :  "  I  wish  to  be  useful ; 
and  every  kind  of  service  necessary  for  the  public  good  be- 
comes honorable  by  being  necessary.  If  the  exigencies  of 
my  country  demand  a  peculiar  service,  its  claims  to  the 
performance  of  that  service  are  imperious." 

Washington  personally  gave  him  his  instructions  and 
he  set  out  on  his  perilous  mission.  In  the  dress  of  a 


Nathan  Hale.  45 

citizen,  and  by  representing  himself  as  a  "  schoolmas- 
ter and  a  loyalist  disgusted  with  the  rebel  cause,"  he 
visited  the  British  camp,  made  plans  of  the  fortifica- 
tions, and  obtained  the  information  he  sought  for.  On 
his  way  back,  he  was  arrested  while  looking  for  his 
friends,  who  were  to  meet  him  with  a  boat.  He  was 
taken  on  board  a  British  ship,  where  he  was  stripped 
and  searched.  The  plans  of  the  fortifications  were 
found  in  his  shoes,  where  he  had  secreted  them,  and  then 
he  was  taken  to  General  Howe's  headquarters  and  confined 
in  a  greenhouse  belonging  to  the  mansion.  This  was  on 
Saturday  night,  September  21.  Hale  accepted  his  fate 
like  a  man  and  a  true  patriot.  He  frankly  told  his  rank 
and  the  purpose  for  which  he  entered  the  British  lines. 
Early  on  the  following  day  he  was  turned  over  to  William 
Cunningham,  the  provost-marshal  of  New  York,  who 
treated  him  with  the  greatest  barbarity  and  heaped  in- 
sults upon  him.  His  last  hours  were  made  as  miserable  as 
the  harshness  of  his  jailor  could  make  them.  He  asked  for 
a  chaplain  and  then  for  a  Bible.  Both  requests  were  de- 
nied. He  wrote  letters  to  friends  and  relatives,  and  to  his 
betrothed,  but  instead  of  sending  them,  Cunningham  first 
read  them  and  then  tore  them  up  before  the  eyes  of  the 
young  hero.  When  the  sun  rose,  Hale  was  led  from  his 
prison  and  executed. 

An  excellent  statue  has  been  erected  in  New  York  city, 
on  the  spot  where  the  martyred  patriot  stood  for  the  last 
time.  His  arms  are  bound  behind  his  back;  but  with 
throat  bare  and  head  erect,  he  seems  almost  repeating  again 
his  last  words: — "  I  regret  that  I  have  only  one  life  to  give 
to  my  country!" 

4— Military  Heroes 


46  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


ETHAN  ALLEN. 

ETHAN  ALLEN,  one  of  the  best  known  figures  in  the 
war  of  the  Revolution,  was  born  on  January  10, 
1737,  in  Litchfield,  Connecticut.  Very  little  is 
known  of  his  early  life,  except  that  he  wae  one  of  a  large 
family  of  children  and  grew  up  to  be  a  sturdy,  independent 
man  and  an  earnest  advocate  of  liberty.  In  1772,  we  hear 
of  him  residing  in  Bennington,  Vermont,  a  trusted  leader 
of  the  "  Green  Mountain  Boys,"  as  the  bold  mountaineers 
of  that  state  were  termed  at  that  time.  He  also  repre- 
sented them  in  presenting  their  claims  to  certain  land 
grants  to  which  they  laid  claim.  These  cases  were  decided 
at  Albany,  and  were  against  Allen's  clients,  who  immedi- 
ately determined  to  hold  their  lands  by  force.  Soon  they 
were  in  constant  warfare  with  the  royal  officers  who  came 
to  evict  them,  and  several  of  these  sheriffs  were  whipped  bji 
the  settlers.  The  Green  Mountain  Boys  banded  togethei 
to  resist  the  injustice  of  the  crown,  and  in  Allen  they  found 
a  determined  and  resourceful  leader.  Finally  a  price  was 
put  upon  his  head  by  Governor  Tryon,  but  Allen  continued 
in  what  he  considered  was  his  line  of  duty,  acting  only  on 
the  defensive,  however.  Matters  were  in  this  condition 
when  news  of  the  massacre  at  Lexington  reached  these 
hardy  men,  and  abandoning  their  private  wrongs,  they  set 
out  to  play  their  part  in  the  contest  for  liberty. 

Soon  a  plan  for  the  capture  of  Fort  Ticonderoga  was  on 
foot,  as  this  was  a  point  of  great  strategic  importance 


Ethan  Allen. 


47 


48  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

Men  from  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts  met  at  Benning- 
ton,  and  joined  Colonel  Allen  and  his  Green  Mountain 
Boys.  Allen  was  appointed  commander  of  the  expedition, 
which  comprised  some  twc  hundred  and  thirty  men.  On 
the  morning  of  May  10,  1775,  eighty-three  men  had  been 
taken  across  the  lake  and  landed  near  the  fort.  Great 
difficulty  had  been  experienced  in  procuring  boats,  and  as 
day  was  breaking,  Allen  did  not  dare  to  wait  for  more  men 
to  cross  before  making  the  attack.  He  addressed  his  men 
and  told  them  of  the  hazardous  nature  of  the  undertaking, 
but  every  one  of  them  volunteered  to  attack  at  once.  A 
sentry  snapped  his  piece  at  Allen  and  then  fled  into  the 
fort,  whence  the  Americans  followed  him.  Another  sen- 
try made  a  pass  at  one  of  Allen's  officers,  but  Allen 
wounded  him,  and  he  cried  for  quarter.  Then  Allen  com- 
pelled him  to  tell  where  the  commander  of  the  fort,  Cap- 
tain De  la  Place,  slept,  and  when  he  reached  the  room, 
which  was  in  the  second  story,  he  called  loudly  to  that 
officer  to  come  forth  instantly  or  he  would  sacrifice  the  en- 
tire garrison.  Soon  Captain  De  la  Place  appeared  only 
partially  dressed.  Allen  ordered  him  to  deliver  the  fort 
instantly.  The  captain  asked  by  what  authority  he  de- 
manded it  and  Allen  replied:  "  In  the  name  of  the  Great 
Jehovah  and  the  Continental  Congress."  De  la  Place  tried 
to  parley,  but  Allen  waved  his  sword  over  his  head  and 
again  demanded  the  surrender  of  the  garrison.  The  Brit- 
ish commander  complied  and  ordered  his  men  to  be  pa- 
raded without  arms,  and  so  the  famous  Fort  Ticonderoga 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  brave  Green  Mountain  Boys. 

A  few  days  later,  Crown  Point  was  captured  by  Seth 
Warner,  who  was  sent  there  by  Allen  for  that  purpose. 


Ethan  Allen. 


49 


Benedict  Arnold,  who  was  then  an  earnest  and  patriotic 
American,  was  to  have  had  command  of  the  expedition 
against  Ticonderoga,  but  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  would 
have  no  leader  but  Allen.  Arnold  submitted  gracefully 
and  went  as  a  volunteer,  marching  side  by  side  with  Allen, 


Montreal. 

and  entering  the  fort  with  him.  After  receiving  pay  for 
his  men,  and  also  permission  to  raise  a  new  regiment, 
Allen  joined  General  Schuyler  as  a  volunteer,  and  was 
sent  by  that  officer  on  a  mission  to  Canada.  He  returned, 
and  was  raising  a  force  of  men  to  operate  with  General 
Montgomery,  when  he'  was  induced  to  join  a  Major  Brown 


50  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

in  an  attack  upon  Montreal.  Brown  failed  to  appear  at 
the  appointed  time  and  place,  and  Allen  and  his  handful  of 
men  were  captured  and  taken  before  Colonel  Preseott, 
who  inquired  if  he  was  ihe  man  who  took  Ticonderoga. 
Allen  replied  that  he  was.  Prescott  broke  into  a  terrible 
rage  and  ordered  him  bound  hand  and  foot  on  the  Gaspee. 
To  Allen's  complaints  of  the  brutality  of  th's  treatment 
Prescott  turned  a  deaf  ear.  At  last  Allen  was  taken  to 
England,  and  so  many  people  went  to  see  the  hero  of 
Ticonderoga  that  he  became  quite  a  distinguished  pris- 
oner. Allen  was  exchanged  for  a  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Campbell,  and  his  captivity  of  two  and  a  half  years  war> 
over. 

After 'reporting  to  General  Washington,  at  A^alley  Forge, 
Allen  returned  to  his  Green  Mountain  home,  where  he 
was  enthusiastically  received.  Congress  voted  him  the 
pay  of  a  lieutenant-colonel  for  the  time  of  his  imprison- 
ment, and  made  him  a  brevet-colonel  in  the  Continental 
army.  Allen  now  renewed  his  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  in- 
dependence of  Vermont,  and  was  made  a  general  of  militia 
by  the  people  of  that  state.  When  the  independence  of 
Vermont  became  a  fact,  General  Allen  became  a  member 
of  the  state  Assembly. 

Many  anecdotes  illustrating  the  strong  points  of  Allen's 
nature  have  been  related.  The  following  is  one  of  them: 

"  On  one  occasion,  an  individual  to  whom  he  was  in- 
debted commenced  a  suit  against  him.  Allen,  being  un- 
able to  pay  the  debt,  employed  a  lawyer  to  have  the  execu- 
tion of  legal  processes  against  him  postponed  for  a  short 
period.  As  an  easy  measure  to  effect  this  and  throw  the 
case  over  to  the  next  session  of  the  com!;,  the  lawyer 


Ethan  Allen.  51 

denied  the  genuineness  of  the  signature.  Allen,  who  was 
present,  stepped  angrily  forward,  and  exclaimed  to  his 
astonished  counsel:  'Sir,  I  did  not  employ  you  to  come 
here  and  lie!  I  wish  you  to  tell  the  truth.  The  note  is  a 
good  one — the  signature  is  mine;  all  I  want  is  for  the 
court  to  grant  me  sufficient  time  to  make  the  payment.' 
It  is  needless  to  add  that  the  plaintiff  acceded  to  his 
wishes." 

After  the  capture  of  Ticonderoga,  the  pastor  of  a  church 
in  Bennington — a  Kev.  Mr.  Dewey — preached  a  sermon  on 
Allen's  exploit,  and  in  his  prayer  thanked  the  Lord  for 
the  victory.  Allen  was  present  at  the  service  and  was 
much  pleased,  but  as  the  preacher  continued  his  thanks- 
giving, he  called  out: 

"Parson  Dewey!" 

The  pr/acher  prayed  on,  not  heeding  the  interruption. 

Allen  exclaimed  still  louder: 

"  Parson  Dewey !" 

No  response.  At  last  Allen  was  exasperated,  and 
sprang  to  his  feet,  while  he  fairly  roared  out,  for  the  third 
time: 

"Parson  Dewey!" 

At  last  the  praying  clergyman  opened  his  eyes  and 
gazed  in  astonishment  at  Allen.  Allen  then  said,  with 
energy: 

"  Parson  Dewey!  please  make  mention  of  my  being 
there." 

Vermont  owes  a  great  debt  to  Ethan  Allen,  and  she  has 
reared  a  statue  in  his  memory,  which  stands  in  the  State 
House  at  Montpelier.  The  old  hero  died  on  his  farm,  near 
Colchester,  vermont,  on  February  13,  1789. 


62          Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


JOHN  STARK. 

JOHN  STARK,  an  incorruptible  patriot,  was  born  on 
August  28,  1728,  at  Londonderry,  New  Hamp- 
shire. His  family  was  of  Scotch  extraction.  When 
eight  years  of  age  the  Stark  family  moved  to  Manchester, 
and  for  nearly  twenty  years  young  Stark  led  the  life  of  a 
New  England  settler,  varying  farming  with  trapping  and 
hunting.  He  was  fbnd  of  adventure  and  possessed  of  an 
athletic  frame  capable  of  great  endurance.  It  was  during 
this  period  of  his  life  that  he  set  off  on  a  hunting  expe- 
dition, accompanied  by  his  brother  and  two  friends.  The 
young  men  separated  temporarily  and  John  Stark  was 
suddenly  surrounded  and  seized  by  Indians.  The  In 
dians,  knowing  that  he  had  companions,  asked  Stark 
where  they  were.  He  gave  the  wrong  direction,  ;m<* 
for  a  time  the  savages  were  baffled,  but  they  after- 
wards came  upon  the  remainder  of  the  party.  One 
they  quickly  made  a  prisoner  and  then  ordered  Stark 
to  hail  the  others,  who  were  in  a  boat,  and  order  them 
to  come  ashore.  Instead,  Stark  warned  them  of  their 
danger,  and  when  the  Indians  fired  upon  them  he  struck 
up  their  guns  and  diverted  their  aim.  Twice  he  did  this, 
but  one  of  the  young  men  was  killed.  Stark  then  called 
to  the  one  who  was  left  to  fly  for  his  life,  and  he  did  so 
and  escaped.  This  was  Stark's  brother.  Enraged  by  their 
failure  to  capture  the  entire  party,  the  Indians  fell  on 
Stark  and  beat  him  terribly. 


John  Stark. 


53 


54  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

At  the  Indian  camp  Stark  and'  his  friend  were  com- 
pelled to  run  the  gauntlet.  During  this  ordeal  I-Castman 
barely  escaped  with  his  life;  but  Stark  did  better,  for  he 
snatched  a  club  from  one  of  his  tormentors  and  cleared  a 
path  for  himself  as  he  ran.  This  raised  him  in  the  estima- 
tion of  his  captors,  and  later,  when  he  threw  his  hoe  into 
the  river  and  refused  to  work  for  them,  they  adopted  him 
into  their  tribe.  He  was  eventually  ransomed,  as  was  his 
companion,  but  the  price  put  upon  each  showed  that  the 
Indians  held  them  at  a  different  valuation,  as  they  re- 
quired one  hundred  and  three  dollars  for  Stark,  while  for 
Eastman  they  accepted  sixty  dollars. 

Stark's  first  military  service  was  in  the  French  and 
Indian  war.  He  served  in  a  corps  of  Rangers  as  a  lieuten- 
ant. Stark  was  one  of  an  expedition  under  Major  Rogers, 
fitted  out  to  operate  around  Lake  Champlain.  Their  march 
was  partly  on  the  ice  of  the  lake  and  partly  through  the 
snow  on  the  shore.  They  were  suddenly  attacked,  and  the 
enemy  made  terrible  havoc  in  their  ranks.  Stark  held 
them  at  bay  until  that  portion  of  the  band  immediately 
under  Rogers  rallied.  Then  the  little  band  of  Americans 
fought  on  through  the  winter's  afternoon.  Stark  was 
wounded  in  the  wrist,  and  a  bullet  shattered  the  lock  of 
his  gun.  He  wrenched  another  weapon  from  the  grasp  of 
a  dying  Frenchman,  and  fought  on  until  the  enemy  with- 
drew a*  darkness  came  on.  All  night  the  weary  line 
of  Americans  dragged  through  the  woods,  and  when  the 
wounded  could  go  no  further  Stark,  with  two  companions, 
marched  forty  miles  to  get  aid,  accomplishing  the  feat  on 
snow  shoes.  Without  waiting  for  rest,  he  at  once  turned 
back  and  covered  the  ground  again.  Reaching  his  com- 


56  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

rades,  he  placed  the  wounded  on  sleds  and  started  with 
them  for  Fort  William  Henry,  the  point  of  safety,  thus 
covering  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  on  snow  shoes,  in 
the  dead  of  winter,  in  less  than  forty  hours,  and  this  after 
righting  a  superior  force  for  hours.  For  this  feat  of  en- 
durance, and  for  the  humanity  displayed  in  it,  Stark  was 
made  a  captain. 

After  some  service  under  Lord  Howe,  Stark  returned 
home  and  married.  Shortly  afterwards  he  was  employed 
in  road  making,  and  then  again  retired  to  private  life, 
where  he  remained  until  the  echoes  of  Concord  and  Lex- 
ington startled  him  from  his  peaceful  occupations.  Then 
he  entered  heart  and  soul  into  the  patriot  cause,  and  be- 
came colonel  of  a  regiment.  He  was  stationed  at  Medford, 
but  joined  the  patriots  at  Bunker  Hill  during  the  hottest 
of  the  fight,  leading  his  sturdy  New  Hampshire  boys  across 
Cha^lestown  neck  through  a  merciless  British  fire.  Be- 
hind the  historic  rail-fence  filled  with  hay,  these  brave' 
men  fought  with  the  steadiness  of  veterans,  and  were 
among  the  last  to  leave  the  field. 

A  characteristic  anecdote  is  told  of  Stark  upon  his  re- 
turn to  Medford  after  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  It  seems 
that  the  paymaster  there  did  not  like  Stark  and  refused 
to  pay  the  men,  alleging (th at  the  pay-rolls  were  not  correct. 
He  did  this  on  three  occasions,  and  then  the  men  appealed 
to  their  leader.  Stark  said:  "The  regiment  has  made 
him  three  visits;  he  shall  now  make  them  one  in  return." 
A  guard  was  sent  and  it  brought  the  paymaster  into 
camp,  the  drums  and  fifes  playing  the  "  Rogue's  March." 

Late  in  1776,  Stark  and  his  men  were  sent  to  reinforce 


John  Stark.  57 

Washington,  and  before  the  battle  of  Trenton  the  blunt 
old  soldier  told  Washington: 

"You  have  depended  a  long  time  on  spades  and  pick- 
axes, but  if  you  wish  ever  to  establish  the  independence  of 
the  country,  you  must  rely  on  firearms." 

Washington  replied: 

"  To-morrow  we  march  on  Trenton,  and  I  have  ap- 
pointed you  to  command  the  advance  guard  of  the  right 
wing." 

After  the  battle  of  Princeton,  in  which  he  participated, 
Stark  went  to  New  Hampshire  and  recruited  his  regiment. 
Being  justly  incensed  at  the  promotion  of  junior  officers, 
while  he  was  left  out  of  the  list,  he  retired  from  the  army, 
declaring  that  an  officer  who  would  tamely  submit  to  such 
an  indignity  was  not  fit  to  be  trusted.  He  lost  none  of  his 
patriotism,  however,  and  later  accepted  the  command  of 
state  troops,  refusing  to  fight  under  the  orders  of  Con- 
gress. Men  flocked  from  all  directions  to  fight  under  his 
leadership,  and  he  was  ordered  to  place  his  command  un- 
der general  orders;  but  he  stubbornly  refused  to  do  this, 
and  in  August,  1777,  marched  to  encounter  the  enemy, 
who  was  marching  through  Vermont.  On  August  16,  he 
fought  and  won  the  famous  battle  of  Bennington.  The 
British  were  intrenched  upon  a  line,  and  wheg  Stark  saw 
them  he  turned  to  his  troops  with  the  now  historic  remark: 

"  See  there,  men!  there  are  the  red-coats.  Before  night 
they  are  ours,  or  Molly  Stark's  a  widow." 

The  battle  began  with  a  terrible  fire  of  musketry,  but 
the  militia  fought  with  the  precision  of  veterans, 
routed  the  British  horse  and  foot  soldiers,  streamed  over 
the  breastworks  and  won  the  gallant  field. 


58  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

Stark  continued  in  the  militia  service  for  some  time. 
Then  Congress  gave  him  a  vote  of  thanks  for  the  victory 
at  Bennington  and  a  commission  as  brigadier-general.  He 
served  through  ^he  war  and  then  retired  to  his  farm.  He 
lived  to  the  ripe  age  of  ninety-four  years,  and  was  buried 
with  military  honors. 


NATHANIEL  GEEENE. 

ATHANIEL  GEEENE  was  bora  in  Warwick,  Rhode 
Island,  on  May  27,  1742.  His  father  was  a 
Quaker  preacher,  and  his  son  was  early  instructed 
in  the  tenets  of  that  sect.  When  old  enough  to  assist  in 
the  labors  of  the  farm,  the  boy  was  put  to  work,  clad  in 
the  sober  garb  affected  by  the  Quakers.  After  a  time  lie 
was  taken  from  farm  work  and  placed  at  a  forge  owned 
by  his  father.  But  whether  in  the  fields  or  at  the  anvil, 
Greene  expended  a  good  deal  of  his  youthful  energy  in 
athletic  sports  and  became  very  fond  of  dancing,  in  order 
to  indulge  in  this  pastime,  he  would  steal  out  ol  the  house 
after  the  family  were  asleep;  but  on  one  occasion  he 
returned  from  a  ball  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning  to 
find  his  father  waiting  for  him  with  a  horsewhip.  He  had 
just  time  to  slip  some  shingles  under  his  coat  from  a  con- 
venient pile,  and  in  the  subsequent  chastisement  found  the 
punishment  much  mitigated  for  his  resort  to  this  novel 
armor. 

Books  soon  claimed  the  attention  of  the  young  Quaker, 


Nathaniel   Greene. 


59 


60  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

and  while  engaged  at  his  labors  he  found  time  to  master 
the  difficult  problems  of  Euclid  without  assistance;  to 
read  Horace  and  Caesar,  and  even  Blackstone.  At  twenty 
years  of  age  he  was  able  to  take  part  in  the  political  dis- 
cussions of  the  day.  Wnen  war  clouds  gathered  about  the 
colonies  he  threw  away  his  Quaker  prejudices  and  studied 
military  science.  For  this,  the  people  in  whose  faith  he 
was  born  took  him  to  account,  but  he  remained  firm  to 
his  convictions  and  joined  an  independent  military  com- 
pany. He  was  a  member  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
Rhode  Island  in  1770.  Four  years  later  he  married. 

After  Lexington,  Greene  started  for  Boston,  and  was 
soon  made  a  major-general  of  Rhode  Island  troops.  These 
he  put  into  good  condition,  and  after  the  battle  of  Bunker 
Hill  joined  Washington  at  Cambridge..  Washington  sent 
him  to  occupy  Long  Island,  but  falling  sick,  Putnam  was 
given  charge  of  the  operations  there.  Greene  participated 
in  the  battle  of  Harlem  Heights,  and  was  with  Washing- 
ton in  his  retreat  through  New  Jersey.  He  commanded  a 
division  at  the  battle  of  Trenton,  and  also  at  Princeton, 
exhibiting  in  both  engagements  perfect  coolness  and  reso- 
lution. At  Brandywine,  Greene  was  at  the  rear  of  the 
American  army,  but  feeling  that  his  men  were  needed  at 
the  front,  he  marched  them  four  miles  in  forty-nine  min- 
utes, and  arrived  in  time  to  check  the  scattering  fugi- 
tives and  make  a  bold  stand  with  his  own  men. 

General  Greene  commanded  a  division  of  the  American 
army  at  the  Battle  of  Germantown.  His  aide-de-camp. 
Major  Burnet,wore  his  hair  in  a  queue  in  the  old-fashioned 
style.  While  the  battle  was  at  its  height  the  Major's  queue 
was  shot  away  by  a  musket  ball.  "Don't  be  in  a  huwy, 


Nathaniel  Greene. 


61 


Major,"  said  Greene;  "just  dismount  and  get  that  long 
queue."  It  was  but  a  few  minutes  later  that  another  shot 
from  the  enemy  cut  away  a  large  powdered  curl  from  Gen- 


Battle  of  Cowpens. 

eral  Greene's  forehead.  The  British  were  in  hot  pursuit 
of  the  Americans  at  this  moment,  but  Major  Burnet  said: 
"  Don't  be  in  a  hurry,  General;  just  dismount  and  get  that 

J — Military  Htrots 


62  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

N 

long  curl."  The  advice  was  not  taken,  however.  Greene 
performed  splendid  services  at  Germantown,  and  then 
with  the  troops  went  into  winter  quarters  at  Valley  Forge, 
where  he  was  made  Quartermaster-General,  and  did  much 
to  reorganize  the  army. 

Greene  served  at  Monmouth  with  his  usual  gallantry 
and  was  then  sent  to  Rhode  Island  to  cooperate  with  La- 
fayette and  Sullivan.  From  Rhode  Island,  Greene  was  sent 
to  New  Jersey  and  heroically  defended  Springfield  in  that 
state.  He  presided  at  the  court-martial  which  tried  and 
condemned  the  unfortunate  Major  Andre,  and  later  was 
in  command  at  West  Point.  From  that  position  he  was 
sent  south  to  retrieve,  if  possible,  the  reverses  of  the 
patriot  cause  in  that  section.  He  found  an  army  without 
money,  without  stores,  destitute  of  clothing,  of  arms,  of 
everything  necessary  for  an  effective  force.  Of  two  thou- 
sand men  barely  eight  hundred  were  fit  for  service;  but 
his  officers  were  the  bravest  of  the  brave  and  patriots  to 
the  core.  Greene  employed  every  possible  moment  in 
drilling  his  troops,  and  to  gain  time  for  this  sent  out  de- 
tachments to  annoy  and  harrass  the  enemy  without  bring- 
ing on  a  general  engagement.  He  led  Cornwallis  a  terrible 
chase,  and  then  came  the  battle  of  Cowpens,  where  Wash- 
ington cut  Tarleton's  crack  dragoons  to  pieces,  and  Mor- 
gan's militia  drove  the  British  infantry  before  them,  like 
veterans.  Morgan  was  obliged  to  retreat  afterthe  battlewas 
gained,  for  he  could  not  cope  with  Cornwallis's  army,  which 
was  close  upon  him.  That  general  strained  every  nerve  to 
cut  him  off,  but  failing  in  this  endeavored  to  prevent  his 
junction  with  Greene.  In  this  he  also  failed,  and  then 
Greene  took  up  his  memorable  and  masterly  retreat 


Nathaniel  Greene.  63 

through  the  Carolines,  in  which  he  out-generaled  the  Brit- 
ish commander.  Through  rain  and  mud,  Greene  fled  for 
twenty  days,  covering  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  He 
crossed  three  large  rivers,  and  baffled  his  adversary  at  every 
point,  finally  bringing  his  army  to  a  place  of  safety  and 
covering  his  own  name  with  renown. 

At  Guilford  Court  House,  Greene  gave  battle  to  Corn- 
wall is,  but  was  eventually  compelled  to  retreat  after  in- 
flicting a  terrible  loss  on  the  enemy.  As  soon  as  Cornwallis 
could  collect  his  wounded,  he,  too,  fearing  that  his  victory 
would  be  dearly  bought  if  he  remained  on  the  field,  fled 
rapidly  from  the  scene  of  the  engagement,  having  suffered 
a  loss  of  six  hundred  killed  and  wounded.  Greene  sent  a 
detachment  of  cavalry  to  hang  on  the  rear  of  the  British 
army,  and  himself  pursued  them  towards  Wilmington. 
But  at  length  his  army  began  to  murmur  at  the  hardships 
they  were  compelled  to  undergo.  The  term  of  enlistment 
of  many  had  expired;  Greene  could  not  supply  them  with 
provisions,  and  so,  after  thanking  them  for  their  bravery, 
he  saw  them  depart  for  their  own  homes. 

With  an  army  reduced  to  one-third  of  its  size,  Greene 
now  led  it  into  South  Carolina  and  fought  the  battle  of 
Ilobkirk's  Hill,  which  he  lost  through  no  fault  of  his  own, 
and  then  moved  on  to  the  post  known  as  Ninety-six.  He 
made  a  noble  assault  on  the  position,  but  was  unable  to 
carry  it.  The  British  evacuated  it,  however,  shortly  after- 
wards. Through  all  these  reverses  Greene's  spirit  was  un- 
daunted. He  fought  the  enemy  and  harrassed  it  con- 
tinually. After  an  engagement  he  would  rest  his  troops 
and  then  ,put  them  in  motion  again.  In  his  own  words: 
"  We  will  seek  the  enemy  wherever  we  can  find  them, 


64  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States, 

unless  they  take  refuge  within  the  gates  of  Charleston." 
He  shared  the  hardships  of  his  men,  and  on  the  night  be- 
fore the  battle  of  Eutaw  Springs,  as  on  many  other  occa- 
sions, he  slept  on  the  ground  in  the  midst  of  his  soldiers. 

Greene  won  the  battle  of  Eutaw  Springs,  but  he  suffered 
severe  losses.  Both  armies  buried  their  dead  under  a  flag 
of  truce,  and  then  the  sickly  season  set  in,  and  he  moved 
his  army  to  the  Santee  hills.  After  the  surrender  of  Corn- 
wallis,  Greene  boldly  took  the  field  again,  and  finally  drove 
the  British  into  Charleston.  Closer  and  closer  he  drew  his 
lines  about  the  city,  and  in  spite  of  the  ternble  condition 
of  his  own  army,  who  were  dying  by  scores  in  the  scorch- 
ing sun,  destitute  of  clothing  and  provisions,  he  held  on 
until  the  British  evacuated  the  city.  Then  Greene  en- 
tered and  received  an  ovation  from  the  multitudes  who 
knew  the  privations  that  he  and  his  army  had  passed 
through. 

After  the  peace  General  Greene  made  his  home  at  Mul 
berry  Grove,  Georgia,  where  he  died  on  June  19,  1786. 


Anthony  Wayne.  65 


ANTHONY  WAYNE. 

A  NTHONY  WAYNE,  a  brilliant  officer  of  the  Eevo- 
J\_  lution,  and  afterwards  commander-in-chief  of  the 
armies  of  the  United  States,  was  born  in  Chester 
County,  Pennsylvania,  January  1,  1745.  His  early  educa- 
tion was  at  the  hands  of  a  relative,  and  afterwards  at  the 
Philadelphia  Academy,  where  he  appears  to  have  distin- 
guished himself  in  mathematics.  It  is  also  said  of  him 
t'nat  he  had  a  liking  for  military  studies  as  well.  Leaving 
school  at  seventeen  years  of  age,  he  became  a  farmer  and 
knd-surveyor,  and  was  married  five  years  later. 

When  the  colonies  grew  restive  under  the  oppressive 
measures  of  Great  Britain,  Wayne  openly  declared  that 
hostilities  would  follow,  and  immediately  began  to  raise 
volunteers  for  the  war  which  he  deemed  inevitable.  Con- 
gress made  him  a  colonel  when  his  prediction  became  true, 
and  his  first  service  was  in  Canada.  He  was  wounded  at 
Three  Kivers,  and  then  commanded  at  Fort  Ticonderoga, 
joining  Washington  in  New  Jersey  in  1777.  He  was  now 
a  brigadier-general,  and  had  been  complimented  for  dis- 
tinguished bravery  and  skill. 

Wayne  bore  a  conspicuous  part  at  Brandywine,  and  at 
Germantown  his  horse  was  shot  under  him.  In  this  last 
battle  he  covered  the  retreat  of  the  Americans.  Subse- 
quently, at  Valley  Forge,  Wayne  commanded  a  foraging 
expedition  and  brought  much  relief  to  the  destitute  -army 
in,  the  shape  of  cattle  and  provisions  of  various  kinds.  At 


66  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

Monmouth,  Wayne  distinguished  himself  by  his  bravery, 
and  was  commended  by  Washington  in  his  official  letter 
to  Congress. 

The  storming  of  Stony  Point,  on  the  Hudson  River, 
was  assigned  to  General  Wayne,  and  he  successfully  car- 
ried the  position  by  assault,  shortly  after  midnight  of  July 
15,  1779.  Its  natural  defenses  had  been  strengthened,  and, 
with  its  strong  garrison,  was  regarded  as  almost  impregna- 
ble. Wayne  divided  his  forces  into  two  columns,  and  each 
man  at  the  same  time  was  ordered  "  to  fix  a  piece  of  white 
paper  in  the  most  conspicuous  part  of  his  hat  or  cap  to 
distinguish  him  from  the  enemy,"  and  a  watchword,  "  The 
fort's  our  own,"  was  communicated  to  each,  with  orders 
to  give  it  "  with  repeated  and  loud  voice  when  the  works 
were  forced,  and  not  before."  Scaling  the  parapet,  and- 
creeping  through  the  embrasures  on  either  side,  the  assail- 
ants raised  the  cry  agreed  upon,  and  drove  the  garrison  be- 
fore them,  notwithstanding  the  most  desperate  resistance 
was  offered.  While  this  terrible  hand-to-hand  contest  was 
raging  within  the  fort,  Wayne,  who  had  been  wounded  in 
the  head  by  a  musket  ball,  was  lying  near  the  spot  where 
he  fell;  but  when  the  enemy  had  surrendered,  as  it  soon 
did,  he  was  carried  into  the  fort,  "  bleeding,  but  in  tri- 
umph." Three  hearty  cheers  from  his  victorious  troops 
formed  the  salute  under  which  the  daring  general  was  car- 
ried into  the  fort  to  receive  the  submission  of  the  garri- 
son, and  again  "  The  fort's  our  own!"  broke  out  in  the  in- 
spiration of  the  moment. 

In  1781,  Wayne  was  with  Lafayette  in  Virginia.  Lafay- 
ette ordered  him  to  attack  the  rear  guard  of  Cornwallis's 
army,  thinking  the  main  body  had  passed  over  a  river. 


Anthony  Wayne. 


68  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

Wayne  fell  upon  the  British  as  directed,  but  found  it  to 
be  the  army  itself.  Grasping  the  situation,  he  made  such 
a  vigorous  charge  that  Cornwallis  thought  the  enlire 
American  army  was  upon  him  and  began  to  prepare  for  a 
general  engagement.  Under  cover  of  his  movements 
Wayne  was  able  to  withdraw  his  troops,  thus  extricating 
them  from  a  perilous  position. 

After  the  surrender  of  Yorktown,  Wayne  joined  General 
Greene  and  operated  in  Georgia,  where  the  British  out- 
numbered him  three  to  one.  But  his  indomitable  spirit 
rose  above  every  obstacle,  and  he  drove  the  enemy  from 
one  point  to  another  until  he  virtually  wrested  the  state 
from  the  British.  In  speaking  of  this  campaign,  Wayne 
said: 

'  "  The  duty  we  have  done  in  Georgia  was  more  difficult 
than  that  imposed  upon  the  children  of  Israel;  they  had 
only  to  make  bricks  without  straw,  .but  we  have  had  pro- 
vision, forage,  and  almost  every  other  apparatus  of  war  to 
procure  without  money;  boats,  bridges,  etc.,  to  build  with- 
out materials,  except  those  taken  from  the  stump;  and 
what  was  more  difficult  than  all — to  make  Whigs  out  of 
Tories.  But  this  we  have  effected,  and  have  wrested  the 
country  out  of  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  with  the  exception 
only  of  the  town  of  Savannah." 

Two  tribes  of  Indians — the  Choctaws  and  the  Creeks — 
had  been  induced  to  join  the  British  forces.  Wayne  fell 
upon  and  completely  routed  the  former  and  then  turned 
his  attention  to  the  Creeks.  He  instructed  his  men  to 
rely  entirely  upon  the  bayonet  and  the  sword,  and  led 
them  to  a  defile  through  which  the  enemy  must  pass. 
Wayne  and  his  men  reached  the  pass  at  the  same  time 


"  The  Fort's  Our  Own!" 


60 


70  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

that  the  enemy  entered  it,  and  although  outnumbered  he 
fell  upon  them  with  such  impetuosity  that  they  fled  before 
him.  Later,  the  Creeks  crept  stealthily  up  to  AVayne's 
camp  and  with  a  terrible  war-whoop  drove  in  his  pickets. 
For  a  few  moments  all  was  terror  and  confusion,  but 
Wayne  rallied  his  men  and  led  them  against  their  foes. 
With  his  own  hand  he  cut  down  a  tall  chief,  who,  in  his 
death  throes,  fired  at  him,  but  missed  his  aim  and  killed 
Wayne's  horse.  The  conflict  was  a  short  one,  and  soon  the 
savages  fled  in  dismay.  Shortly  afterwards  the  British 
evacuated  Savannah  and  peace  soon  followed. 

Wayne  was  not  allowed  to  rest  in  peace,  however.  An 
Indian  war  followed  that  of  the  Eevolution,  and  Wayne 
was  made  commander-in-chief  of  the  army.  lie  con- 
ducted operations  so  well  that  a  long  peace  with  the  red 
men  was  effected.  Wayne's  death  came  while  exercising 
the  functions  of  an  Indian  Commissioner  in  what  was  then 
called  the  Northwest.  He  died  on  December  14,  1796, 
at  Presque  Isle,  and  was  buried  there,  but  later  his  remains 
were  removed  to  his  native  county  and  a  monument  Avas 
erected  to  his  memory. 

Wayne  was  one  of  the  most  popular  men  in  the  army, 
and  was  known  the  country  over  as  "  Mad  Anthony."  It 
is  said  that  "  this  name  was  originally  given  by  a  witless 
fellow  in  the  camp,  who  used  always  to  take  a  circuit 
when  he  came  near  Wayne,  and,  shaking  his  head,  mutter 
to  himself,  '  Mad  Anthony!  mad  Anthony!'  It  was  so 
characteristic  of  Wayne,  however,  that  the  troops  univer- 
sally adopted  it." 


Francis  Marion.  71 


FRANCIS  MARION. 

THERE  is  perhaps  more  of  romance  in  the  career  of 
Francis  Marion;  more  of  personal  adventure  and 
daring  than  in  that  of  any  other  general  of  the  Revo- 
lution. He  was  born  in  1732,  at  Winyah,  South  Carolina. 
His  ancestors  were  French  Huguenots,  and  from  them  he 
inherited  a  disposition  that  enabled  him  to  serve  his  coun- 
try well  in  the  hour  of  its  need. 

Marion  was  a  feeble,  sickly  child  until  he  was  about 
twelve  years  of  age.  Then  he  began  to  take  an  interest  in 
athletic  pursuits,  and  soon  acquired  a  frame  capable  of  en- 
during the  hardships  of  a  settler's  life.  When  fifteen 
years  of  age  he  went  to  sea,  but  was  shipwrecked.  He  was 
rescued,  however,  and,  thoroughly  cured  of  a  sea  life,  re- 
turned to  his  father's  farm.  His  first  military  service  was 
against  the  Indians.  At  one  time  he  led  thirty  men  against 
a  band  of  Cherokees,  losing  twenty-one  in  the  skirmish 
that  ensued. 

When  the  Revolutionary  War  broke  out  Marion  was  a 
member  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  South  Carolina,  and 
is  described  as  being  small  in  stature,  with  a  swarthy, 
thoughtful  face,  and  piercing  black  eyes.  He  immediately 
began  to  recruit  men  for  the  patriot  cause,  and  being  thor- 
oughly acquainted  with  military  tactics  soon  had  his  men 
thoroughly  drilled  and  disciplined.  There  was  a  magnet- 
ism about  the  man  that  few  could  resist,  and  it  was  es- 
teemed an  honor  to  serve  under  his  leadership.  When  the 


72  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

British  attacked  Fort  Moultrie,  Marion  and  his  men  were 
part  of  the  brave  garrison,  and  the  last  shot  from  the  fort 
is  credited  to  Marion's  own  hand.  After  the  British  ships 
withdrew  Marion  remained  in  command  of  the  fort. 

After  the  fall  of  Charleston,  and  with  the  British  in 
possession  of  the  surrounding  country,  Marion,  after  be- 
ing hunted  from  one  place  of  concealment  to  another,  with 
a  handful  of  men  joined  General  Gates.  They  were  a  sorry 
looking  lot — their  garments  tattered  and  nondescript, 
their  arms  rusty,  the  horses  presenting  much  the  same  ap- 
pearance as  their  riders.  In  1780,  Marion  became  the 
leader  of  a  band  of  patriots,  undisciplined,  but  brave,  and 
also  skilled  in  the  use  of  firearms.  He  was  commissioned 
a  general  by  the  Governor  of  South  Carolina,  and  soon  the 
little  band  of  some  thirty  men  was  increased  and  became 
known  as  Marion's  Brigade.  Marion  and  his  men  then  en- 
tered upon  a  career  of  toil  and  privation,  but  they  became 
well  disciplined  and  performed  such  daring  deeds  that 
they  were  feared  alike  by  the  British  and  the  Tories.  It 
became  the  highest  honor  to  which  a  man  could  aspire  to 
belong  to  Marion's  band.  Every  man  was  a  dead  shot  and 
a  dashing  rider,  skilled  in  the  use  of  the  sabre.  Marion  led 
them  to  hiding  places  in  the  swamps  and  then  emerged 
and  struck  heavy  blows  upon  the  enemy.  His  troop  be- 
came a  terror  and  a  menace  to  the  Tories  in  particular, 
but  no  plans  to  capture  the  "  Swamp  Fox,"  as  they  called 
him,  were  ever  successful. 

Well-planned  attempts  on  the  part  of  the  enemy  to 
crush  Marion  utterly  failed.  He  would  make  a  descent 
upon  a  British  camp  or  a  Tory  gathering,  and  then  enter 
the  swamps  and  lie  concealed  where  his  enemies  did  not 


Francis  Marion. 


73 


74  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

dare  to  follow  him.  The  fare  of  these  brave  men  was  of 
the  rudest  description.  They  had  no  money,  and  subsisted 
as  best  they  could.  Marion's  principal  camp  was  at  Snow's 
Island,  and  there  the  hardy  men  who  followed  his  fortunes 
rested  in  picturesque  array  when  not  engaged  in  active 
duty.  The  place  was  easily  defended,  and  trusty  rifles 
guarded  every  avenue  of  approach.  There  is  a  story  of  a 
young  British  officer  who  visited  this  camp  to  arrange  for 
an  exchange  of  prisoners.  He  was  led  to  the  camp  blind- 
folded, and  when  the  bandage  was  removed  from  his  eyes 
he  looked  bewildered  upon  the  scene.  He  saw  the  par- 
tisan soldiers  resting  beneath  the  tall  pines,  their  horses 
tethered  close  by;  he  saw  their  leader,  slight  of  stature, 
with  none  of  the  externals  of  a  successful  general,  and 
could  hardly  believe  that  this  was  the  hardy  band  whose 
very  name  filled  the  hearts  of  their  enemies  with  terror. 
The  business  that  brought  him  completed,  dinner  was 
served — sweet  potatoes  baked  in  the  ashes  and  served  upon 
pieces  of  bark. 

"  Doubtless  this  .is  an  accidental  meal,"  said  the  officer; 
"you  live  better  in  general?" 

"  No,"  was  the  reply;  "  we  often  fare  much  worse." 
"Then  I  hope  at  least  you  draw  noble  pay  to  compen- 
sate?" 

"  Not  a  cent,  sir,"  replied  Marion;  "  not  a  cent." 
In  telling  this  incident,  upon  his  return  to  the  British 
camp,  the  officer  said:     "What  chance  have  we  against 
such  men?"    It  is  related  that  he  resigned  his  commission, 
and  did  not  serve  again  throughout  the  war. 

It  has  been  said  of  Marion  that  his  only  drink  was  vine  • 
gar  and  water,  mixed,  and  that: — 


Francis  Marion.  75 

"  His  favorite  time  for  marching  was  with  the  setting 
sun,  and  then  it  was  known  that  the  march  would  con- 
tinue all  night.  Before  striking  any  sudden  blow  he  has 
been  known  to  march  sixty  or  seventy  miles,  taking  no 


One  of  Marion's  Men. 


other  food  in  twenty-four  hours  than  a  meal  of  cold  pota- 
toes and  a  draught  of  cold  water.  His  scouts  were  out  in 
all  directions  and  at  all  hours.  They  were  taught  a  pecu- 
liar and  shrill  whistle,  which  at  night  would  be  heard  at 


76  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

a  most  astonishing  distance.  They  did  the  double  duty  of 
patrols  and  spies.  They  hovered  about  the  posts  of  the 
enemy,  crouching  in  the  thickets  or  darting  along  the 
plain,  picking  up  prisoners  and  information  and  spoils 
together." 

Marion  successfully  evaded  every  expedition  sent  to  cap- 
ture him,  but  one  British  band  penetrated  his  camp  on 
Snow  Island  and  destroyed  it.  This  greatly  disheartened 
Marion,  but  his  men  followed  his  fortunes,  even  when  they 
seemed  to  be  at  the  lowest  ebb.  He  now  set  out  in  pur- 
suit of  Colonel  Watson,  a  British  officer  who  had  been 
very  active  in  dogging  his  footsteps,  but  Watson  fled,  and 
Marion,  joining  his  forces  to  those  of  "  Light  Horse " 
Harry,  invested  Fort  Watson.  As  neither  party  had 
cannon,  Marion  resorted  to  an  expedient  which  proved 
successful.  Tie  ordered  trees  cut  down  and  made  into 
logs  and  these  he  piled  up  during  the  night,  so  that  when 
daylight  dawned  he  was  able  to  send  a  shower  of  bullets 
into  the  garrison,  which  soon  surrendered.  Later,  Marion 
joined  General  Greene  and  continued  to  render  invaluable 
services  to  the  country.  He  was  constantly  engaged  in 
harassing  the  enemy.  After  Greene  drove  the  enemy  into 
Charleston,  Marion  resumed  his  duties  as  a  legislator,  turn- 
ing over  his  brigade  to  Captain  Horry,  a  trusted  officer  of 
his;  but,  learning  that  the  British  were  bent  upon  dis- 
persing it  in  his  absence,  he  took  the  field  again  and 
saved  it. 

After  the  war  Marion  continued  active  in  his  legislative 
duties,  and  married  a  lady  of  about  his  own  age.  He  died 
at  the  age  of  sixty-three,  a  pure  and  lofty  patriot,  holding 
country  and  liberty  dearer  than  all  things  else  in  life. 


Hugh  Mercer.  77 


HUGH  MERCER 

HUGH  MERCER,  a  brigadier-general  in  the  war  of 
the  Revolution,  was  a  Scotchman  who  emigrated 
to  America  ard  made  his  home  on  the  western 
frontier  of  Pennsylvania.  We  first  hear  of  him  in  Pro- 
vincial affairs  as  a  captain  in  the  Indian  wars  of  1755.  Of 
his  earlier  life  we  know  very  little,  but  he  was  in  the  army 
of  Prince  Charles  Edward,  and  participated  in  the  battle 
of  Culloden.  By  profession  he  was  a  physician.  He  was 
so  badly  wounded  at  Braddock's  defeat  that  he  was  unable 
to  keep  up  with  the  demoralized  British  troops.  Hidden 
behind  a  log  he  watched  the  savages  scalping  the  dead  and 
dispatching  the  wounded.  He  dragged  himself  to  a  stream 
of  water,  of  which  he  drank,  and  then  kept  on  the  track  of 
the  retreating  army  as  rapidly  as  his  shattered  shoulder 
would  allow.  When  nearly  exhausted  by  famine  and  the 
pain  of  his  wound  he  succeeded  in  killing  a  rattlesnake. 
Skinning  it  with  one  band,  he  devoured  a  portion  of  it 
raw,  and  so,  feeding  on  the  reptile  from  time  to  time,  he 
managed  to  reach  Fort  Cumberland,  more  dead  than  alive. 
Mercer  at  one  time  commanded  Fort  Duquesne,  and 
there  made  the  acquaintance  of  Washington,  who  was  then 
a  young  officer  in  the  Provincial  service.  Later,  when  the 
colonists  asserted  their  rights,  and  were  fighting  for  their 
independence,  Mercer  joined  the  patriot  army  and  was 
made  a  brigadier-general.  His  early  services  for  his 

6 — Military  If  trots 


78  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

adopted  country  were  with  Washington  at  New  York,  and 
the  commander-in-chief  found  him  in  every  way  worthy 
of  his  confidence.  He  accompanied  Washington  on  the 
dreary  retreat  throughout  New  Jersey,  when  a  deep  cloud 
of  gloom  hovered  over  the  entire  country;  but  his  belief 
that  liberty  would  triumph  remained-  unshaken.  He  was 
among  the  first  to  advocate  an  aggressive  campaign 
against  the  British  in  New  Jersey,  and  became  one  of 
Washington's  most  valued  advisers. 

When  the  battle  of  Princeton  was  fought  Mercer  led  one 
of  the  attacking  columns,  and,  throwing  himself  between 
the  main  body  of  the  British  troops  and  their  reserves, 
brought  about  the  action.  A  rapid  march  of  eighteen 
miles  brought  Washington's  army  to  the  eastern  skirts 
of  Princeton  on  the  morning  of  January  3,  1777. 
The  contending  armies  being  about  equal  in  forces  and  ar- 
tillery, the  ground  was  fiercely  contested.  The  patriots 
were  at  first  thrown  into  some  confusion  by  the  vigorous 
resistance  they  encountered,  but  by  great  personal  exer- 
tions, in  which  his  own  life  was  recklessly  exposed,  Wash- 
ington rallied  his  men,  and  leading  his  raw  troops  to 
within  thirty  yards  of  the  enemy,  made  a  headlong  charge. 
The  British  regiments  broke  and  fled,  unable  to  resist  the 
terrible  onslaught  of  such  men. 

Mercer  fought  bravely,  and  when  his  horse  was  shot 
under  him,  continued  to  fight  on  foot  against  terrible  odds. 
He  was  wounded,  and  when  taken  prisoner  asked  for  hon- 
orable treatment.  Instead,  the  brutal  British  soldiers 
felled  him  to  the  earth  and  then  plunged  their  bayonets 
into  his  body.  Thinking  him  dead,  they  left  him  where 
he  lay,  but  he  was  found  and  carried  to  a  neighboring 


• 


79 


80 


Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


farmhouse,  bleeding  from  thirteen  wounds.  He  lingered 
in  agony  for  a  few  days,  and  then  died,  a  martyr  in  the 
cause  of  liberty,  with  a  prayer  for  his  family  and  his  coun- 
try upon  his  lips. 


Battle  of  Princeton.    Death  of  Mercer. 


Richard  Montgomery.  81 


RICHARD  MONTGOMERY. 

RICHARD  MONTGOMERY  was  born  in  Ireland, 
December  2,  1736,  but  emigrated  to  this  country 
in  1772.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  was 
holding  a  commission  in  the  British  army,  and  later  dis- 
tinguished himself  at  the  siege  of  Louisburg,  earning  a 
lieutenantcy  for  his  gallantry.  Still  later  he  served  under 
Amherst;  was  present  at  the  sieges  of  Montreal  and  Que- 
bec, and  was  made  a  captain  for  distinguished  services 
against  the  French  in  the  West  Indies.  Upon  his  arrival 
in  America  he  settled  near  New  York  and  married.  It 
was  not  until  after  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  that  Mont- 
gomery really  threw  in  his  fortunes  with  the  country  of 
his  adoption,  although  he  had  been  a  member  of  the  first 
provincial  convention  of  New  York. 

When  Congress  voted  in  favor  of  the  invasion  of  Canada, 
Montgomery,  who  had  been  made  a  brigadier-general,  be- 
gan his  military  service  for  the  colonies  under  General 
Schuyler.  He  was  a  man  of  great  courage,  and  when 
Schuyler  was  prostrated  by  sickness,  Montgomery  took 
command  of  the  expedition.  He  quelled  a  serious  mutiny 
among  his  troops,  and_then,  being  short  of  ammunition,  at- 
tacked Fort  Chambly  and  took  it,  obtaining  a  much  needed 
supply  in  this  way.  Other  successes  followed,  including 
the  capture  of  Montreal. 

Arnold  was  then  investing  Quebec,  but  was  in  bad  straits. 


82  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

Montgomery  marched  to  his  relief,  making  a  toilsome 
march  over  frozen  ground  and  through  drifting  snows. 
His  troops  encountered  great  hardships  on  the  way,  but 
Montgomery  shared  their  privations  and  eventually  hrought 


Quebec. 


his  undisciplined  command  to  the  walls  of  Quehec.  The 
combined  forces  of  Arnold  and  Montgomery  could  do  little 
more  than  harrass  the  besieged.  Their  few  cannon  could 
make  no  impression  on  the  walls  of  the  city  and  their  opera- 
tions were  hampered  by  the  ice  and  snow.  The  troops 


General  Richard  Montgomery. 


83 


84  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

were  miserably  clad  for  any  climate,  and  in  the  rigors  of  a 
Canadian  winter  it  was  with  difficulty  that  they  could 
move  their  benumbed  limbs,  or  serve  the  cannon,  which 
were  mounted  upon  blocks  of  ice.  Small-pox  broke  out 
in  the  camp,  and  the  army  was  on  the  verge  of  mutiny. 
With  these  conditions  staring  him  in  the  face,  Montgomery, 
who  was  in  command  of  the  combined  forces,  called  a 
council  of  war  at  which  it  was  decided  to  make  an  assault 
upon  the  fortifications. 

Before  daylight  on  the  last  day  of  December,  1775,  two 
officers  were  sent  to  make  a  feint  against  the  upper  town, 
while  Montgomery  and  Arnold  should  storm  the  defenses 
of  the  lower  town.  The  patriots  set  out  in  the  dark  and 
gloom  of  the  winter  morning,  Montgomery  at  the  heal 
of  one  column,  while  Arnold  led  the  other — the  forlorn 
hope.  Success  was  with  Montgomery  at  first,  but  huge 
masses  of  ice  impeded  the  progress  of  his  soldiers  and  gave 
the  British  time  to  recover  from  the  panic  into  which  they 
were  thrown  when  the  Americans  surprised  the  first  bat- 
tery. Struggling  on  through  snow  and  ice,  another  bat- 
tery confronted  the  handful  of  brave  souls.  For  an  instant 
they  seemed  to  hesitate.  Waving  his  sword  over  his  head, 
Montgomery  shouted:  "Men  of  New  York!  You  will  not 
fear  to  follow  where  your  general  leads — forward!" 

Montgomery  fell  at  the  first  discharge  from  the  British 
cannon,  and  seeing  their  leader  stretched  upon  the  snow, 
the  troops  recoiled  and  fled. 

Arnold  intrepidly  led  his  men  against  another  battery, 
receiving  a  musket-ball  in  the  leg,  and  Captain  Morgan  as- 
sumed command.  Under  his  leadership,  the  battery  was 
captured.  It  was  still  dark  and  he  knew  nothing  of  the 


Richard  Montgomery.  85 

fate  of  Montgomery's  column.  After  being  slightly  rein- 
forced, he  shouted,  "  Forward,  my  brave  fellows,"  and 
dashed  against  a  second  battery.  A  detachment  of  British 
troops  met  the  patriots  here  and  a  terrible  conflict  ensued. 
Morgan  fought  with  desperation,  but  was  forced  to  give 
way.  He  attempted  to  cut  his  way  through  his  foes,  but 
his  numbers  were  too  small  and  he  was  obliged  to  sur- 
render. 

Montgomery  was  but  thirty-nine  years  of  age  when  he 
gave  his  life  for  his  country  on  the  blood-stained  snows  be- 
fore Quebec.  His  career  had  been  bright  and  promising 
and  the  country  mourned  his  loss.  Montgomery  was  buried 
by  the  British  with  the  honors  of  war,  but  in  1818,  the 
state  of  New  York  removed  his  remains  to  New  York  city, 
and  Congress  erected  a  monument  to  his  bravery  and 
worth  over  them  in  the  portico  of  St.  Paul's  Church. 


86  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


PHILIP  SCHUYLER 

-r)HILIP  SCHUYLER,  a  major-general  in  the  Conti- 
nental army,  and  a  close  friend  of  Washington,  was 
born  in  1733,  in  Albany,  New  York.  He  received 
a  good  education,  and  being  proficient  in  mathematics, 
embraced  the  profession  of  a  civil  and  military  engineer. 
The  beginning  of  the  Revolution  found  him  rich  and  pros- 
perous, but  he  cheerfully  gave  himself  and  his  fortune  to 
his  country,  and  rendered  incalculable  aid  to  the  cause  of 
liberty  and  freedom. 

Schuyler  was  made  a  major-general  and  placed  in  com- 
mand of  the  army  that  invaded  Canada.  Falling  seriously 
ill,  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish  the  command  to  Mont- 
gomery, but  upon  his  recovery,  he  conducted  many  diffi- 
cult military  operations  with  uncommon  skill.  He  became 
especially  successful  in  raising  men  for  the  army  and  money 
for  the  needs  of  Congress,  at  one  time  giving  his  persrnal 
security  for  a  large  sum  of  money.  ITis  energy  in  these 
transactions  procured  him  the  ill  will  of  many  who  did 
not  recognize  his  incorruptible  honesty,  and  this,  with 
other  causes,  induced  him  to  resign  his  commission.  Con- 
gress, however,  in  spite  of  the  slights  it  had  put  upon  him, 
entreated  him  to  recall  his  resignation,  and  he  did  so  in  the 
cause  of  liberty. 

While  Schuyler  was  in  command  of  the  army  operating 
in  the  North,  he  made  all  possible  efforts  to  obstruct  the 


General  Philip  Schuyler. 


87 


88  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

march  of  Burgoyne  and  his  splendid  army.  He  tore  up 
bridges,  cut  down  trees  and  destroyed  navigation  wher- 
ever possible.  Consternation  pervaded  the  country.  Men, 
women  and  children  fled  before  the  oncoming  British 
legions.  Homes  were  deserted.  Only  the  necessaries  of 
life  were  taken.  Mothers  aroused  their  sons  and  sent  them 
to  face  the  foe.  Then  the  battle  of  Oriskany  was  fought — 
a  most  bloody  engagement — in  which  the  Americans  were 
victorious.  Then  Fort  Schuyler  was  saved  to  the  patriots. 
Schuyler  planned  and  marched  and  fought  with  consum- 
mate ability,  but  just  at  the  time  when  it  seemed  that  he 
was  to  reap  the  reward  of  his  exertions,  he  was  superseded, 
and  the  command  of  the  army  given  to  General  Horatio 
Gates.  Schuyler  had  prepared  the  way  for  the  disaster 
that  befell  Burgoyne  eventually,  but  Gates  was  allowed  to 
receive  the  credit,  while  the  man  who  had  planned  the  cam- 
paign and  done  the  hard  work  was  pushed  aside. 

Schuyler  witnessed  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne,  but  his 
patriotism  was  of  so  lofty  a  character  that  not  a  murmur 
escaped  his  lips  when  the  plaudits  of  the  nation  were  given 
to  another  instead  of  to  him,  to  whom  they  rightfully  be- 
longed. He  made  the  Baroness  Reidesel  a  guest  at  his  own 
home  after  the  surrender,  and  extended  his  hospitality  to 
Burgoyne  as  well.  Burgoyne  had  caused  Schuyler's  prop- 
erty at  Saratoga  to  be  burned,  and  this  courtesy,  coming 
after  that  action,  caused  «him  to  say  on  one  occasion  to 
Schuyler:  "  You  are  too  kind  to  me,  who  have  done  you  so 
much  injury."  "  Oh,  that  was  the  fate  of  war;  pray  think 
no  more  of  it,"  was  Schuyler's  magnanimous  reply. 

Later,  General  Schuyler  was  urged  by  Washington  to 
resume  the  command  of  the  army  from  which  he  had  been 


90  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

deposed,  but  he  would  not  serve  longer  under  the  Congress 
which  had  humiliated  him,  and  resigned  from  the  service. 
He  served  his  country,  however,  as  a  member  of  the  New 
York  Senate  and  as  a  member  of  Congress.  Advancing 
age  compelled  his  retirement  from  that  body,  however,  and 
he  died  in  November,  1804.  One  of  his  last  acts  was  to 
give  their  freedom  to  all  of  his  slaves. 


BENEDICT   ARNOLD. 

BENEDICT  AENOLD,  a  major-general  in  the  Conti- 
nental army,  whose  incredible  daring  and  gallant 
behavior  in  battle  dazzled  the  American  people 
until  his  treason  covered  his  brilliant  career  with  infamy, 
was  born  on  January  3, 1740,  at  Norwich,  Connecticut.  As 
a  boy  he  was  noted  for  his  love  of  mischief,  his  daring  and 
his  cruelty.  It  is  related  of  him  that  he  delighted  in  rob- 
bing birds'  nests  in  order  to  watch  the  distress  of  the 
parent  birds,  and  that  he  would  scatter  broken  glass  in  the 
paths  which  his  companions  were  obliged  to  travel  bare- 
footed. He  received  the  best  education  the  town  afforded, 
and  was  then  apprenticed  to  a  druggist,  from  whom,  how- 
ever, he  ran  away  when  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age  to  be- 
come a  soldier.  His  mother,  a  virtuous  and  pious  woman, 
was  able,  through  friends,  to  effect  his  release,  but  his  dis- 
position soon  induced  him  to  run  away  again  and  join  the 
army  for  the  second  time.  Military  discipline  and  garri- 


Benedict  Arnold. 


91 


92  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

son  life  were  too  severe  for  him,  however,  and  he  deserted 
and  returned  home. 

After  serving  his  apprenticeship,  Arnold  engaged  in  the 
business  of  a  druggist  in  New  Haven.  In  this  way  he  ac- 
quired considerable  property,  which  he  invested  in  ships 
and  entered  the  West  India  trade.  After  a  time  he  became 
bankrupt  and  resumed  his  old  business  as  a  druggist,  at  the 
same  time  holding  a  captain's  commission  in  a  militia 
company.  When  the  news  of  Lexington  and  Concord 
reached  New  Haven,  Arnold  found  sixty  men  who  were 
willing  to  join  the  patriot  army  with  him  as  a  leader,  and 
with  this  band  he  marched  to  Cambridge,  where  he  was 
soon  made  a  colonel.  When  Ethan  Allen  moved  against 
Fort  Ticonderoga,  Arnold  demanded  to  be  put  in  command 
of  the  expedition,  but  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  would  have 
no  one  but  Allen  to  lead  them,  and  Arnold  went  along  as 
a  volunteer,  entering  the  gate  side  by  side  with  him.  After 
the  capture  of  the  fort7  he  again  claimed  command,  but 
Allen  was  appointed  to  command  the  garrison.  His  arro- 
gance was  boundless  and  when  he  was  ordered  to  serve 
under  another  officer  he  flew  into  a  rage  and  resigned  his 
command. 

When  it  was  decided  to  send  an  army  to  invade  Canada, 
the  energy  and  daring  of  Arnold  enabled  him  to  obtain  the 
command  of  ten  companies  of  New  Englanders,  and  three 
companies  of  riflemen,  led  by  the  celebrated  Morgan. 
With  these  troops  he  made  a  march  through  the  wilderness 
that  was  comparable  with  any  hazardous  daring  in  military 
history.  Their  provisions  became  exhausted  and  they 
were  compelled  to  eat  dogs  to  satisfy  their  hunger;  they 
forced  their  rude  boats  across  streams  filled  with  ice;  they 


Benedict  Arnold.  93 

met  and  overcame  perils  of  every  description,  and  were 
only  kept  from  despair  and  death  by  the  indomitable  will 
of  Arnold.  The  worn  band  at  last  reached  the  walls  of 
Quebec  and  summoned  the  garrison  to  surrender.  This 
being  refused  with  derision,  Arnold  waited  for  the  arrival 
of  Montgomery.  In  the  assault  that  followed,  Arnold 
intrepidly  led  his  men  and  received  a  musket  ball  in  the 
leg  which  shattered  the  bone.  For  a  time  he  refused  to 
be  taken  to  the  rear,  but  at  last  he  was  compelled  to  con- 
sent. 

For  his  bravery  at  Quebec,  Arnold  was  made  a  brigadier- 
general,  and  when  the  Americans  were  forced  to  leave  Can- 
nda,  he  was  the  last  man  that  left  the  territory.  At  the 
battle  of  Yalcour  Island,  he  fought  the  British  ships  with 
si  few  miserable  galleys,  and  after  a  glorious  fight,  finding 
himself  no  match  for  the  enemy,  he  broke  through  the 
British  line,  beached  his  galleys  and  set  fire  to  them. 

There  is  no  doubt  but  Congress  was  unjust  to  Arnold  in 
the  matter  of  promotions  and  in  creating  new  major-gen- 
erals. Washington  felt  the  injustice  of  Congress  and  en- 
treated Arnold  not  to  act  hastily  in  the  matter.  Stung  to 
the  quick,  Arnold  determined  to  visit  Congress  in  person. 
While  passing  through  Connecticut,  he  met  a  force  of 
Americans  who  were  pursuing  the  British  troops  that  had 
burned  Danbury.  Forgetting  his  personal  wrongs,  he 
joined  them  and  participated  in  the  fighting  that  followed, 
exhibiting  the  most  reckless  daring  and  bravery.  He 
coinmanded  a  division  at  the  first  battle  of  Saratoga,  and 
the  credit  of  the  day  is  largely  due  to  his  exertions.  He 
burst  like  a  whirlwind  into  the  thickest  of  the  fight  at  the 
second  battle  near  that  place.  His  black  steed  was  seen 

7—  Military  Heroes 


94  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

wherever  men  fell  fastest;  his  sword  flashed  wherever 
death  was  thickest.  He  led  the  last  charge  against  the 
British  camp  that  ended  the  fight.  His  horse  was  shot 


Arnold  Wounded  at  Battle  of  Saratoga. 

under  him,  and  he  sank  to  the  ground  with  a  ghastly 
wound  in  the  same  leg  that  was  injured  at  Quebec. 

Congress  could  not  refuse  him    his    rank    after    such 
bravery.     Washington  complimented  him  in  a  letter,  and 


Benedict  Arnold. 


95 


later  presented  him  with  a  sword  and  epaulettes.  He  was 
given  the  command  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  but  he 
made  himself  unpopular.  He  became  involved  in  his  pri- 
vate affairs,  and  eventually  he  was  sentenced  to  receive  a 
reprimand  from  Washington.  This  he  regarded  as  the 


Capture  of  Andre. 

crowning  indignity  in  his  career,  and  he  began  to  plot 
treason  against  the  government.  He  solicited  and  obtained 
the  command  of  West  Point  and  then  planned  to  turn  it 
over  to  the  British.  Major  Andre  was  sent  by  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  to  complete  the  arrangements  with  Arnold,  and 
was  captured  within  the  American  lines.  He  was  tried  and 


96  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

executed  as  a  spy.  Arnold  escaped  to  the  British  ship 
Vulture,  and  from  there  to  New  York.  He  was  made  a 
major-general  and  given  a  command.  He  was  sent  to  Vir- 
ginia, where  he  laid  waste  the  towns  and  devastated  the 
country  with  extreme  cruelty.  Plans  were  formed  for  his 
capture,  but  he  was  able  to  frustrate  them.  At  one  time 
he  inquired  of  a  prisoner  whom  he  had  taken,  what  the 
Americans  would  do  if  they  captured  him.  The  prisoner 
replied,  "  They  would  cut  off  the  leg  that  was  wounded  in 
fighting  for  liberty  and  bury  it  with  the  honors  of  war,  and 
hang  the  rest  of  your  body  on  a  gibbet!"  Arnold  com- 
manded the  British  troops  that  burned  New  London  and 
Groton,  and  there,  in  his  native  state,  apparently  de- 
lighted in  cruel  and  malignant  acts. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  Arnold  went  to  England, 
where  he  was  given  a  large  sum  of  money  and  received 
some  public  favor,  but  he  became  universally  detested,  and 
removed  to  St.  John's,  New  Brunswick,  where  he  engaged 
in  trade.  Afterwards  he  returned  to  England  and  died, 
despised  and  shunned  by  all,  on  June  14,  1801. 


Andre's  Prison. 


Escape  of  Benedict  Arnold. 


97 


98  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


DANIEL  MORGAN. 

DANIEL  MORGAN",  one  of  the  most  efficient  officers 
of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  was  born  in  New  Jer- 
sey, in  1736.  Nothing  is  known  of  his  boyhood  life, 
but  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  is  heard  of  in  Virginia, 
working  as  a  day  laborer.  He  joined  the  army  of  General 
Braddock  as  a  teamster,  and  on  one  occasion  was  given  five 
hundred  lashes  with  a  whip  for  an  alleged  act  of  rudeness 
to  a  British  officer.  After  Braddock's  disastrous  campaign 
Morgan  was  made  an  ensign,  and  on  account  of  his  judg- 
ment and  bravery,  was  employed  as  a  courier,  going  from 
one  post  to  another.  This  service  was  especially  hazardous, 
and  on  one  occasion  nearly  cost  Morgan  his  life.  He  and 
his  two  companions  were  suddenly  attacked  by  a  large 
party  of  Indians.  Both  his  friends  were  killed  and  Mor- 
gan's jaw  was  shattered  by  a  rifle  ball.  Clinging  fast  to 
his  horse's  neck,  he  darted  away,  pursued  by  his  foes.  One 
Indian  alone  was  able  to  keep  pace  with  the  flying  steed 
and  his  rider,  but  as  he  was  being  distanced,  he  threw  his 
tomahawk,  which  missed  its  aim,  and  Morgan  reached  the 
nearest  fort,  insensible,  but  still  clinging  to  his  horse. 

After  recovering  from  his  wound,  Morgan,  who  was  a 
man  of  splendid  proportions  and  enormous  strength,  de- 
veloped a  love  for  brawls  and  fighting.  Many  of  his  en- 
counters were  severe,  but  his  dogged  courage  always 
brought  him  victory.  Eventually  he  settled  down  to  the 


Daniel  Morgan. 


99 


100         Military  Heroes  of  ilie  United  States. 

life  of  a  farmer  and  began  to  acquire  property,  but  soon 
after  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  he  left  his  farm,  enlisted  a 
company  of  riflemen,  and,  at  their  head,  marched  to  Bos- 
ton. He  was  attached  to  Arnold's  command  and  shared 
all  the  dangers  and  privations  of  that  terrible  march 
through  the  unbroken  wilderness  until  Quebec  was 
reached.  He  was  as  headlong  and  daring  as  Arnold,  and 
when  that  officer  was  carried  to  the  rear,  after  being 
wounded,  Morgan  took  the  command,  and  placing  ladders 
against  the  parapet  poured  in  such  a  fire  that  the  enemy 
fled.  When  the  British  rallied,  and  their  commander  called 
on  the  brave  handful  that  was  left  to  lay  down  their  arms, 
Morgan  seized  a  musket,  shot  the  officer  dead,  and  then, 
shouting  "  Forward,  my  brave  fellows!"  led  them  against 
the  leveled  bayonets  of  the  enemy.  But  his  bravery  and 
that  of  his  men  were  unavailing.  They  were  overpowered 
and  forced  to  surrender. 

Morgan's  reputation  was  such  that,  during  his  captivity, 
he  was  treated  with  kindness  and  offered  a  commission 
as  colonel  if  he  would  join  the  British  army.  He  scorn- 
fully refused  the  offer,  and  after  an  exchange  of  prisoners 
was  effected  rejoined  the  Continental  army.  He  per- 
formed splendid  services  at  both  battles  of  Saratoga,  and 
his  men,  with  their  unerring  rifles,  picked  off  the  British 
officers  with  frightful  rapidity.  During  the  first  battle  the 
British  General  Frazer,  mounted  on  a  splendid  gray  horse, 
was  the  soul  of  the  British  movements.  Arnold  instructed 
Morgan  not  to  let  him  remain  long  in  the  saddle.  Calling 
a  few  of  his  most  expert  marksmen  to  him,  Morgan  said, 
as  he  pointed  to  Frazer:  "  That  gallant  officer  is  General 
Frazer.  I  admire  him,  but  it  is  necessary  that  he  should 


Daniel  Morgan.  101 

die.  Do  your  duty."  The  third  shot  mortally  wounded 
the  general. 

Efforts  were  made  to  prejudice  Morgan  against  Wash- 
ington, but  they  utterly  failed,  and  as  his  health  had 
broken  down  under  the  strain  of  continued  active  service, 
he  obtained  leave  of  absence  to  recuperate.  In  1781,  how- 
ever, he  was  in  South  Carolina,  serving  under  General 
Greene.  He  fought  and  defeated  the  British  under  Col- 
onel Tarleton,  at  the  battle  of  Cowpens,  receiving  a  gold 
medal  from  Congress  for  this  victory. 

Morgan's  riflemen  were  the  terror  of  the  British.  The 
precision  of  their  fire  was  marvelous.  His  men  adored 
their  leader,  who  relied  more  upon  the  affection  of  his 
m'en  for  him  for  effectiveness  than  upon  discipline.  He  is 
said  to  have  been  "  a  fearful  man  in  battle,"  and  that  "  he 
fought  with  an  obstinacy  that  nothing  seemed  able  to  over- 
come; indeed,  he  seldom  was  beaten,  and  even  when  de- 
feated his  retreat  was  sullen,  stern  and  dangerous." 

After  Cowpens,  Morgan  was  disabled  by  rheumatism 
and  retired  from  the  service.  He  died  at  Winchester,  Vir- 
ginia, on  July  6,  18Q2. 


102         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


MARQUIS   DE  LAFAYETTE. 

THE  people  of  the  United  States  revere  the  memory  of 
the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  a  wealthy  nobleman  of 
France,  who  abandoned  a  life  of  luxurious  ease  to 
devote  his  life,  his  energies  and  his  fortune  to  the  cause 
of  a  brave  people  struggling  to  throw  off  oppression  and 
exercise  their  heaven-born  right  to  independence. 

Lafayette  was  born  September  6,  1757,  at  the  Castle  of 
Chavaniac,  the  ancestral  home  of  his  mother's  family,  in 
the  province  of  Auvergne.  He  was  the  descendant  of  an 
ancient  family  which  had  furnished  distinguished  soldiers 
to  France,  his  father  being  a  French  colonel  who  fell  at 
the  battle  of  Minden  two  months  before  his  son  was  born. 
His  mother  was  of  equally  ancient  lineage  and  a  lady  of 
great  wealth. 

At  twelve  years  of  age  Lafayette  was  entered  at  the 
College  du  Plessis,  at  Paris,  and  while  pursuing  his  studies 
there  both  his  mother  and  her  father  d"ied,  leaving  him  the 
absolute  master  of  a  fortune  of  between  thirty  thousand 
and  forty  thousand  dollars  a  year.  At  the  age  of  fifteen 
years  he  was  one  of  the  pages  of  the  young  queen  Marie 
Antoinette  and  a  lieutenant  of  musketeers,  and  on  April 
11, 1774,  he  married  the  daughter  of  the  Duke  d'Ayen,  the 
granddaughter  of  one  of  the  most  powerful  families  at  the 
court  of  France.  This  alliance  opened  the  way  to  a  bril- 
liant career,  but  the  young  nobleman  had  already  studied 
the  question  of  civil  liberty,  and  when  he  heard  of  the 


The  Marquis  De  Lafayette. 


103 


104         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

revolt  of  the  English  colonies  in  America,  he  said :  "When 
I  first  learned  the  subject  of  this  quarrel  my  heart  espoused 
warmly  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  I  thought  of  nothing  but 
of  adding  also  the  aid  of  my  banner." 

Lafayette  at  once  placed  himself  in  communication  with 
the  American  embassy  at  Paris,  and  declared  his  intention 
of  fitting  out  a  vessel  at  his  own  expense.  He  offered  to 
carry  out  such  officers  as  wished  to  ally  themselves  with 
the  cause  of  the  colonists,  and  eventually  sailed  from 
Pasage,  a  Spanish  port,  in  his  own  vessel — La  Victoire — 
on  April  26,  1777,  accompanied  by  the  Baron  cle  Kalb  and 
eleven  other  French  officers.  Innumerable  obstacles  had 
been  placed  in  the  way  of  his  leaving  France.  His  father- 
in-law  had  procured  a  letter  of  detention  from  the  King, 
which  forbade  him  to  leave  the  country;  but  he  eluded  his 
guards  and  the  French  cruisers  which  were  ordered  to 
intercept  him,  and  after  a  voyage  of  some  weeks  reached 
Georgetown,  South  Carolina,  where  he  was  .warmly  wel- 
comed by  Major  Benjamin  Huger. 

Pausing  at  Charleston  long  enough  to  equip  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men  of  Moultrie's  command  with  arms  and 
clothing,  Lafayette  hastened  to  Philadelphia  and  presented 
his  letters  to  Congress.  That  from  our  minister  at  Paris* 
contained  the  information  that  he  had  promised  Lafayette 
a  commission  as  major-general,  but  Congress  received  him 
coldly.  Finally,  he  sent  that  body  a  note,  in  which  he 
said:  "After  the  sacrifices  I  have  made,  I  have  the  right 
to  exact  two  favors — one  is  to  serve  at  my  own  expense; 
the  other  is  to  serve  at  first  as  a  volunteer."  This  had  the 
desired  effect,  and  Congress  gave  the  boy  of  nineteen  the 
promised  commission.  Immediately  afterwards  he  was 


Lafayette  Meets  Washington. 


105 


106         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

introduced  to  General  Washington,  who  invited  him  to  be- 
come a  member  of  his  military  family  as  a  volunteer  aide- 
de-camp.  A  deep  attachment  grew  up  between  the  com- 
mander-in-chief  and  the  enthusiastic  youth,  which  lasted 
during  their  lives. 

Lafayette  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  and 
was  severely  wounded  in  the  leg  while  endeavoring  to  rally 
the  broken  American  lines.  After  recovering  from  this 
wound  he  served  under  General  Greene,  in  New  Jersey, 
and  distinguished  himself  by  a  bold  attack  upon  the  ad- 
vance guard  of  the  enemy.  This  gave  him  a  reputation, 
and  he  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Virginia 
militia.  He  shared  the  privations  of  the  patriots  at  Valley 
Forge,  conducted  a  masterly  retreat  at  Barren  Hill,  and 
fought  gallantly  at  Monmouth,  winning  the  thanks  of 
Congress  for  his  services.  Later  he  was  sent  to  Eh  ode 
Island  to  cooperate  with  a  French  fleet  that  had  been  sent 
f;o  aid  the  patriots;  and  when  the  commander  of  the  fleet 
took  his  ships  to  Boston  to  repair  the  damages  inflicted 
by  severe  storms,  Lafayette  hurried  after  him  to  induce  his 
return  before  the  Americans  were  cut  off  by  the  reinforced 
British  army. 

In  January,  1779,  Lafayette  sailed  for  France,  having 
received  leave  of  absence  from  Congress.  Largely  by  his 
representations  the  French  Government  sent  a  force  of 
about  four  thousand  men  to  assist  the  American  army, 
and  after  arranging  for  their  landing  Lafayette  joined 
Washington,  and  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  officers 
that  decided  the  case  of  Major  Andre. 

He  distinguished  himself  at  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  that 
resulted  in  the  surrender  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  capturing  a 


Lafayette.  107 

redoubt  by  a  headlong  bayonet  charge.  Again  obtaining 
leave  of  absence,  Lafayette  arrived  in  France  in  1782,  and 
was  received  with  popular  enthusiasm.  The  King  con- 
ferred the  rank  of  marshal  upon  him.  He  faithfully  served 
the  United  States  by  raising  a  loan  in  France  and  later  in 
the  conduct  of  the  peace  negotiations.  When  the  treaty  was 
signed,  he  chartered  a  ship  and  despatched  the  first  news 
of  the  event  to  the  United  States. 

In  1784,  Lafayette  revisited  America,  arriving  in  New 
York  on  August  4.  He  received  an  ovation  in  every  city 
that  he  visited.  "  In  every  town  and  village  through  which 
he  passed,  the  mothers  and  daughters  and  widows  of  the 
land,  as  well  as  his  comrades-in-arms,  gathered  around  him 
with  heartfelt  welcome.  Congress  appointed  committees  to 
receive  him  and  to  bid  him  adieu,  and  in  every  way  a  grate- 
ful nation  showered  upon  him  the  most  gratifying  marks 
of  their  love  and  respect."  He  visited  his  old  battlefields, 
and  was  the  guest  of  Washington,  for  two  weeks,  at  Mount 
Vernon.  Returning  to  France,  after  taking  leave  of  Con- 
gress, he  labored  for  the  liberty  of  his  countrymen.  He 
passed  through  the  terrible  days  of  the  French  Revolution, 
refusing  every  offer  tendered  him  by  the  monarchy. 
Finally  he  was  obliged  to  fly  from  France,  and  falling  into 
the  hands  of  the  Austrians,  was  made  a  prisoner.  By  them 
and  the  Prussian  government  he  was  treated  with  inhuman 
severity.  After  seeking  his  release  in  vain,  his  heroic  wife 
asked  the  privilege  of  sharing  his  confinement.  This  was 
granted;  but  when  her  health  gave  way  she  was  refused 
absence  from  her  husband  for  the  purpose  of  restoring  it, 
except  upon  the  condition  that  she  would  never  return. 
She  remained.  The  Emperor  Napoleon  I.  secured  the  re- 


108         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

lease  of  Lafayette  and  made  him  a  peer  of  the  realm,  which 
dignity  he  refused,  however,  but  accepted  a  position  in  the 
Chamber  of  Deputies.  He  also  refused  the 
cross  of  the  Legion  of  Honor . 

In  1824,  Lafayette  again  visited  the  United 
States  as  the  guest  of  the  Nation.      He  was 
regarded  as  the  hero  of  two  continents,  and 
treated  everywhere  with  reverence  and  grati- 
tude.    Cities  were  illuminated  in  honor  of 
the    "people's  friend,"  and   courtesies   of 
every  kind  were  showered  upon  him.     He 
visited  the  tomb  of  Washington,  and  after  a 
magnificent  reception  at  Yorktown  passed 
through  the  principal  cities  of  the  South. 
Upon  his  return  to  the  East  he   attended 
the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  Bunker  Hill 
monument,  performing  that  office  with  his 
own  hands.     Before  he  embarked  for  France 
Congress  passed  a  bill  appropriating  two  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  and  a  township  of  land 
in  part  payment  for  the  money  he  had  ex- 
pended in  behalf  of  the  infant  republic.  Upon 
his  return  to  his  native  country  he   again 
served  in  the  cham- 
ber of  Deputies,  and, 
in  1832,  was  placed 
in  command   of  the 
National      Guard. 
After  the  Duke    of 
Orleans  was    pro- 
claimed   King     of 
France  Lafayette  re- 
tired to  private  life. 
Hedied  May  30, 1834. 


8— Military  Heroes 


109 


110         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


ANDKEW  JACKSON. 

ANDREW  JACKSON,  the  Hero  of, New  Orleans,  and 
the  seventh  President  of  the  United  States,  was 
horn  on  March  15,  1767,  at  Waxhaw  Settlement, 
North  Carolina.  His  father  died  when  Andrew  was  an  in- 
fant, but  his  mother,  who  was  a  woman  of  uncommon 
strength  of  character,  provided  for  her  children  by  her 
own  exertions  and  contrived  to  send  Andrew  to  the  best 
school  the  neighborhood  afforded. 

"  Reading,  writing  and  arithmetic  were  all  the  branches 
taught  in  that  early  day.  Among  a  crowd  of  urchins, 
seated  on  the  slab  benches  of  a  school  like  this,  fancy  a 
tall,  slender  boy,  with  bright  blue  eyes,  a  freckled  face,  an 
abundance  of  hair,  and  clad  in  coarse  copper-colored  cloth, 
with  bare  feet  dangling  and  kicking,  and  you  have  in  your 
mind's  eye  a  picture  of  '  Andy '  as  he  appeared  in  his  old 
field  school  days  in  the  Waxhaw  Settlement." 

Jackson  was  a  mischievous  boy,  daring,  reckless  and 
generous  to  a  fault;  fond  of  athletic  sports,  and,  on  the 
whole,  "  difficult  to  get  along  with."  When  about  thir- 
teen years  of  age,  a  number  of  settlers,  among  whom  were 
Andrew  and  his  brother  Robert,  were  surprised  and  at- 
tacked by  British  and  Tories  in  a  house  where  they  had 
met  to  defend  their  homes.  The  house  was  pillaged,  and 
a  British  officer  insolently  commanded  Andrew  to  clean 
boots.  The  boy  indignantly  refused  and  the  officer  struck 
at  him  with  his  sword.  Andrew  parried  the  blow  with  his 


General  Andrew  Jackson. 


Ill 


112         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

left  hand,  receiving  a  citt  the  scar  of  which  he  carried 
with  him  through  life.  Eobert  was  then  ordered  to  clean 
the  boots.  He  refused  to  do  it  and  received  a  cut  on  the 
head  from  the  officer's  sword  which  eventually  proved  fatal. 

Jackson's  mother  died  when  he  was  about  sixteen  years 
of  age,  and  from  that  time  the  young  man  had  to  make  his 
own  way  in  life.  He  worked  for  a  while  in  a  saddler's  shop, 
and  afterwards  taught  school,  studying  law  at  the  same 
time.  Before  he  was  twenty  years  old  he  practiced  law. 
Later  he  moved  to  that  section  of  country  that  eventually 
became  the  state  of  Tennessee,  became  its  first  member 
of  Congress,  then  a  member  of  the  Senate,  next  a  judge 
of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  then  a  major-general  of  the 
state  militia.  In  1813,  he  raised  a  volunteer  force  and 
marched  against  the -Creek  Indians.  He  conquered  them 
so  thoroughly  that  he  was  made  a  major-general  in  the 
United  States  army  in  recognition  of  his  services.  In  the 
latter  part  of  181 1  Jackson  was  at  New  Orleans,  after  cap- 
turing Pensacola  from  the  Spaniards,  who  were  then  as- 
sisting the  British  in  their  operations  along  the  Gulf. 

England  was  determined  to  capture  New  Orleans,  and 
as  their  war  with  Napoleon  was  now  over,  it  was  possible 
to  send  a  great  and  victorious  army  across  the  ocean  to 
whip  the  Yankees.  Thousands  of  veteran  soldiers, 
trained  in  all  the  arts  of  war  and  having  experiences  on 
many  a  hard  fought  battle-field,  were  commanded  by  a 
brilliant  leader — General  Pakenham.  On  the  same  day 
that  this(proud  and  confident  army  reached  the  Mississippi, 
Jackson  marched  into  New  Orleans  at  the  head  of  some 
strange  looking  backwoodsmen  from  Tennessee,  clothed  in 
buckskin,  wearing  coonskin  caps  and  carrying  long  rifles. 


Andrew  Jackson. 


113 


They  had  fought  with  Indians  and  now  were  to  try  their 
strength  with  the  trained  military  of  the  old  world. 


Atrocities  of  the  Creek  Indians. 

Jackson  had  but  little  time  in  which  to  act.     He  rapidly 
threw  up  defences  of  mud  and  logs  and  cotton  bales,  and 


114         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

when  Pakenham  failed  to  batter  them  down,  he  deter- 
mined to  carry  them  by  assault.  Pakenham  had  over 
ten  thousand  men;  Jackson  had  less  than  five  thousand. 
As  the  red-coated  grenadiers,  supported  by  the  Scotch 
Highlanders  in  national  costume,  advanced  upon  the 
American  fortifications,  they  were  met  by  a  terrific  fire 
from  the  artillery,  but  swept  on.  Then  the  Americans 
arose  from  behind  their  breastworks,  and,  with  deadly  aim, 
poured  volley  after  volley  into  the  approaching  lines. 
The  carnage  was  awful  and  the  British  broke,  only  to  be 
reformed  and  again  hurled  against  the  merciless  fire  of 
the  frontiersmen.  Again  they  broke  and  ran.  Paken- 
ham was  struck  by  a  bullet  and  fell  from  his  horse;  other 
officers  took  command,  and  they,  too,  were  stricken  down. 
Nothing  could  stay  the  panic;  nothing  could  stand  before 
the  long  rifles  of  Jackson's  sharpshooters,  and  the  British 
fled  to  the  river  shore,  where  they  remained  for  a  week, 
and  then,  leaving  their  cannon  behind  them,  sailed  for 
home.  Seven  hundred  British  were  killed,  fourteen  hun- 
dred were  wounded  and  five  hundred  taken  prisoners. 
The  American  loss  was  seven  men  killed  and  six  wounded. 
In  1828,  Jackson  was  elected  President  and  proved  to 
be  one  of  the  most  popular  men  who  have  held  that  office. 
He  served  two  terms  and  then  retired  to  his  estate,  called 
the  "  Hermitage,"  near  Nashville,  Tennessee,  where  ho 
died  on  June  8,  1845. 


116         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


SAM  HOUSTON. 

THIS  distinguished  soldier  and  quaint  American  char- 
acter came  of  sturdy  Scotch  lineage.  He  was  born 
at  Timber  Eidge  Church,  near  Lexington,  Rock- 
bridge  County,  Virginia,  March  2,  1793.  His  father, 
Major  Houston,  served  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and 
after  his  death,  which  took  place  when  Sam  was  but  a 
boy,  his  mother  emigrated  to  Tennessee  and  settled  in 
Blount  County.  Sam  had  but  little  schooling  in  Virginia, 
and  not  much  more  in  his  new  home.  It  is  said  that 
he  obtained  from  some  source  a  copy  of  Homer's  Iliad, 
and  that  he  studied  it  until  he  could  repeat  it  from  begin- 
ning to  end.  He  early  manifested  an  unconquerable  spirit 
of  independence.  He  refused  to  be  called  by  his  name  of 
Samuel  and  insisted  upon  being  addressed  as  plain  Sam. 
He  also  invariably  signed  his  name  in  that  way  to  the 
end  of  his  days. 

Sam  became  a  clerk  in  a  trader's  store,  but  soon  ran 
away  and  lived  with  the  Cherokee  Indians.  He  thirsted 
for  freedom  and  found  it  in  a  free  and  untrammeled  life 
with  this  tribe.  In  his  own  words,  he  "preferred  meas- 
uring deer  tracks  to  tape,"  and  that  "the  wild  liberty 
of  the  red  man  was  more  to  his  liking  than  the  tyranny 
of  his  brothers."  To  pay  a  few  debts  that  he  had  con- 
tracted, Houston  returned  to  comparative  civilization  for 
•while,  and  taught  school  to  acquire  the  necessary  money. 


General  Sam  Houston. 


117 


118         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

When  he  was  twenty  years  of  age  he  enlisted  in  a  Ten- 
nessee Volunteer  regiment  and  became  a  splendid  soldier 
and  a  fine  drillmaster.  He  reached  the  grade  of  ensign, 
and  fought  under  General  Jackson  at  the  battle  of  Talla- 
poosa.  In  this  stubborn  engagement.  Houston  proved 
himself  a  hero,  and  was  severely  wounded  by  an  arrow. 
He  also  received  two  bullets  in  his  right  shoulder.  His 
wounds  were  so  severe  that  his  recovery  occupied  a  long 
time.  After  the  peace  with  the  Creek  nation  he  became 
an  agent  to  treat  with  the  Cherokees,  and  took  a  delegation 
of  them  to  Washington.  Feeling  that  his  services  had 
received  but  slight  recognition  from  the  government,  he 
returned  home,  resigned  his  commission,  and  went  to  Nash- 
ville to  study  law.  His  progress  was  so  rapid  that  he  was 
soon  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  became  district  attorney  and 
made  great  strides  in  his  profession.  He  was  made  a 
major-general  of  the  state  and  was  elected  to  Congress. 
In  1827,  he  was  elected  Governor  of  Tennessee.  Later, 
his  wife  left  him  for  a  cause  that  has  never  been  explained, 
and  Houston,  deeply  wounded  by  the  use  his  enemies 
made  of  the  occurrence,  resigned  his  office  and  took  up 
his  abode  with  his  former  friends,  the  Cherokee  Indians. 
Houston  was  formally  adopted  by  the  tribe  and  resumed 
his  old  name  among  them  of  the  "  Kaven."  He  par- 
ticipated in  their  councils  and  visited  Washington  in  their 
behalf  in  1830,  and  again  in  1832.  He  thrashed  a  Con- 
gressman named  Stanberry  and  was  reprimanded  mildly 
by  Congress.  He  was  convicted  of  assault  and  battery 
by  the  criminal  court  and  fined  five  hundred  dollars, 
which  fine  was  remitted  by  President  Jackson.  Upon 
his  return  to  Tennessee  he  received  an  ovation. 


The  Texas  Hangers  at  San  Jacinto. 


119 


180         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

In  1834,  Texas  was  a  part  of  Mexico.  Houston  had 
emigrated  there,  and  with  others  desired  to  throw  off 
the  yoke  of  Mexico  and  set  up  an  independent  republic. 
Houston  was  the  leader  and  soul  of  the  movement.  A 
convention  declared  Texas  independent,  and  Santa  Anna, 
the  President  of  the  Mexican  Republic,  underwent  a  crush- 
ing defeat  at  San  Jacinto,  on  April  21,  1836,  on  which 
occasion  the  Texans  were  commanded  by  General  Hous- 
ton. 

Previous  to  this,  the  celebrated  massacre  of  the  Alamo 
had  taken  place.  A  few  devoted  Texans  had  taken  ref- 
uge in  an  old  church  and  were  besieged  by  an  overwhelm- 
ing force  of  Mexicans.  Travis,  their  gallant  commander, 
did  all  that  mortal  man  could  do  to  strengthen  the  place. 
The  enemy  made  two  unsuccessful  attempts  to  scale  the 
walls.  On  the  third  attempt,  the  Texans,  whose  am- 
munition was  then  exhausted,  were  overpowered.  "  With 
clubbed  guns  the  survivors  fought  on  until  nearly  the 
whole  number  were  cut  down.  Travis  fell  near  the  west- 
ern wall;  Crockett  in  a  corner  near  the  church.  Bowie 
was  butchered  and  mutilated  on  his  sick-bed.  Evans  was 
shot  while  attempting  to  fire  the  magazine,  a  duty  which, 
by  agreement  among  the  defenders,  had  fallen  to  him  as 
the  survivor.  There  had  been  no  surrender;  there  had 
been  no  retreat.  One  brief  hour  after  the  Sabbath  sun 
had  touched  the  grim  walls  flying  the  flag  of  the  Lone 
Star  Republic,  the  sacrifice  for  country  was  complete." 

At  San  Jacinto,  Houston  had  only  half  as  many  men 
as  were  opposed  to  him,  but  the  Texans  were  fighting 
for  their  liberty  and  won  a  glorious  victory.  Santa  Anna 
was  captured  and  forced  to  sign  a  treaty  by  which  Texas 


Zachary  Taylor.  121 

was  made  independent.  Houston  had  several  horses  shot 
under  him  and  his  ankle  was  shattered  by  a  bullet.  In 
this  battle  the  watchword  of  the  Texans  was  "  Remember 
the  Alamo!"  and  well  they  avenged  their  martyred  dead. 

Houston  naturally  received  the  highest  honors  the  new 
republic  could  pay  him.  He  was  elected  President,  and 
served  two  terms.  He  ruled  wisely,  made  treaties  with 
warlike  Indians,  and  eventually  succeeded  in  having  Texas 
admitted  into  the  Union.  Afterwards  he  became  a 
United  States  Senator,  and  then  Governor  of  the  new 
state.  He  died  at  Huntersville,  Texas,  July  25,  1863. 


ZACHARY  TAYLOR. 

ZACHARY  TAYLOR,  a  distinguished  general,  and 
twelfth  President  of  the  United  States,  was  born  in 
Orange  County,  Virginia,  November  24,  1784. 
His  boyhood  was  passed  upon  his  father's  farm  and  in 
acquiring  an  education  at  the  common  schools  of  the 
neighborhood.  When  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age, 
his  brother,  Hancock,  died.  He  had  held  a  lieutenant's 
commission  in  the  army  and  Zachary  now  applied  for  it. 
It  was  given  to  him.  Two  years  later,  he  was  made  a 
captain,  and  in  1812  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
major  for.  his  brave  defense  of  Fort  Harrison  against  the 
Indian  chief,  Tecumseh. 

As  the  settlers  moved  further  westward,  their  farms 
and  villages  encroached  upon  the  Indian  border-line.     The 


122         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


Indians  resented  the  presence  of  the  white  man  on  their 
lands  and  their  great  chief,  Tecumseh,  formed  a  league 
against  the  whites.  He  selected  Fort  Harrison  as  a  point 
of  attack,  and  on  September  12,  1812,  having  failed  to  gain 
the  fort  by  strategy,  commenced  a  furious  assault  upon  the 


Tecumseh. 

works.  A  little  before  midnight,  the  American  sentries 
gave  the  alarm,  and  soon  the  block-house  was  in  flames. 
Without  were  four  hundred  savages,  led  by  their  wily 
chief;  inside  the  stockade  were  but  fifty  men,  of  whom 
two-thirds  of  the  number  were  disabled  by  sickness.  The 


Zachary  Taylor. 


123 


124         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

scene  was  one  of  wild  confusion,  but  Taylor  ordered  the 
burning  boards  stripped  from  the  building,  and  then 
earthworks  were  thrown  up,  behind  which,  for  seven  hours, 
the  little  garrison  offered  such  a  determined  resistance 
that  the  savages  were  driven  away. 

In  1814,  Taylor  was  fighting  the  combined  British  and 
Indian  forces  on  Eock  River.  In  1819,  he  was  a  lieuten- 
ant-colonel at  New  Orleans.  He  was  made  a  colonel  in 
1832.  He  served  in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  then,  in 
1837,  he  was  sent  against  the  refractory  Seminole  Indians, 
whom  he  fought  so  successfully  that  the  conduct  of  the 
campaign  was  placed  in  his  hands.  Osceola,  the  chief  of 
the  Seminoles,  had  gathered  his  braves  on  the  edge  of 
a  dense  swamp  near  Lake  Okeechobee,  on  December  25. 
1837.  Taylor's  men  charged  across  the  morass  that  sep- 
arated them  from  the  foe  and  fought  the  battle  knee-deep 
in  the  wet,  yielding  soil.  Again  and  again  the  Seminoles 
threw  themselves  upon  the  foe,  but  nothing  could  break 
the  unflinching  column  before  which  they  were  obliged  to 
retire. 

Taylor  became  a  brigadier-general  by  brevet  after  the 
battle,  and  was  then  ordered  to  the  Southwest.  The 
Mexican  war  broke  out,  and  on  May  7,  1S46,  lie  fought  the 
battle  of  Palo  Alto.  He  had  but  twenty-three  hundred 
men  to  oppose  to  a  Mexican  force  of  six  thousand.  The 
battle  opened  with  artillery  and  raged  furiously.  The 
prairie  grass  became  ignited  and  dense  clouds  of  smoke 
obscured  both  friend  and  foe.  Then  the  Mexican  infan- 
try and  cavalry  advanced,  but  recoiled  and  fled.  The  next 
day  the  Mexicans  were  again  routed  at  Resaca  de  la  Palma. 
On  that  day,  seventeen  hundred  men  put  to  flight  six 


9 — Military  Htroes 


125 


136         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

thousand  Mexicans.  In  June,  Taylor  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  major-general.  In  the  following  September 
he  captured  Monterey,  after  a  ten  days'  siege  and  three 
days'  hard  righting.  Then  followed  the  battle  of  Buena 
Vista,  where  Taylor  fought  an  army  four  times  the  size 
of  his  own. 

Before  the  engagement  the  Mexican  commander  sent 
a  flag  of  truce  with  a  summons  to  surrender.  Taylor 
knew  the  odds  that  were  against  him,  but  the  message  he 
sent  back  was:  "  General  Taylor  never  surrenders."  Then 
he  turned  to  his  men  and  said:  "I  intend  to  stand  here 
not  only  so  long  as  a  man  remains,  but  so  long  as  a  piece 
of  a.  man  is  left."  In  the  battle  that  ensued  Taylor  gave 
his  celebrated  order  :  "  A  little  more  grape,  Captain 
Bragg."  The  battle  of  Buena  Vista  was  a  brilliant  con- 
flict, and  a  splendid  victory  for  the  Americans. 

Taylor  was  beloved  by  his  soldiers,  who  spoke  of  him 
as  "Old  Rough  and  Ready."  He  was  strict  in  discipline, 
but  careless  about  his  personal  appearance.  He  seldom 
appeared  in  uniform,  and  might  easily  have  been  mistaken 
for  a  farmer. 

In  November,  1847,  Taylor  asked  permission  to  return 
to  the  United  States,  tiring  of  the  inactive  life  he  was 
compelled  to  lead  after  Buena  Vista.  He  was  received 
with  enthusiastic  demonstrations  everywhere,  and  was  the 
recipient  of  many  flattering  courtesies.  Wherever  he 
went  the  people  made  a*  jubilee.  He  was  elected  Presi- 
dent in  1848,  but  did  not  live  to  finish  his  term  of  office. 
His  death  occurred  on  July  9,  1850. 


Winfield  Scott.  127 


WINFIELD   SCOTT. 

THIS  distinguished  general  was  born  on  June  13,  1786, 
at  Petersburg,  Virginia.  At  an  early  age  he 
studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  but  in 
1808,  left  his  profession  for  that  of  a  soldier,  becoming  a 
captain  of  light  artillery.  When  war  with  Great  Britain 
broke. -out,  in  1812,  Scott  was  made  a  lieutenant-colonel 
ii^the  Second  Artillery.  He  was  among  the  officers  at  the 
battle  of  Queenstown,  on  the  Niagara  River,  who  displayed 
conspicuous  skill  and  courage.  Early  in  the  battle  the 
Americans  were  victorious,  but  reinforcements  arrived  for 
the  British  and  the  American  army  was  captured.  After 
Scott  was  exchanged  he  was  made  a  brigadier-general. 
He  captured  Fort  Erie  and  tore  down  the  British  flag 
with  his  own  hands.  On  July  5,  1814,  he  fought  the  bat- 
tle of  Chippewa  and  defeated  the  British.  Although 
General  Brown  was  his  commanding  officer,  Scott  was  the 
one  who  won  the  day,  his  superior  saying,  "  To  him  more 
than  any  other  man  I  am  indebted  for  the  victory/' 

On  July  25,  the  battle  of  Lund/s  Lane  was  fought  and 
was  a  victory  for  the  Americans.  Scott  had  two  horses 
killed  under  him,  and  was  wounded  in  the  right  shoulder 
by  a  musket  ball.  Six  months  later  peace  was  declared, 
but  previous  to  this  event  Scott  had  been  thanked  by 
Congress,  "  For  his  universal  good  conduct  throughout  the 
war."  After  the  war  Scott  was  made  a  major-general  and 


128         Military  Heroes  of •  the  United  States. 

presented  with  a  gold  medal  by  Congress.  Later  he  was 
Bent  to  Europe  on  a  confidential  mission,  and  upon  his 
return  was  placed  in  command  of  the  seaboard.  For  the 
next  thirty  years  he  held  several  .important  positions,  and 
in  1841  was  made  eommander-in-chief  of  the  United 
States  army. 

When  the  Mexican  war  began,  General  Scott  arrived  at 
Vera  Cruz  and  invested  it  on  March  13,  1847.  He  bom- 
barded it  for  fifteen  days,  and  then  the  Stars  and  Stripes  re- 
placed the  Mexican  flag  over  the  city  and  the  famous  fort- 
ress of  San  Juan  d'Ulloa.  Scott  then  marched  toward 
the  city  of  Mexico,  and  on  April  18  won  the  battle  of  Cerro 
Gordo.  This  was  a  hard-fought  field  and  General  Santa 
Anna,  who,  before  the  battle,  had  boasted  that  he  would 
die  fighting  rather  than  yield,  was  glad  to  escape  on  a 
mule,  leaving  his  papers  and  his  wooden  leg  behind  him. 

After  Cerro  Gordo,  Scott  pushed  on,  and  in  succession 
captured  Jalapa,  Perote  and  Puebla.  In  two  months  he 
had  gained  a  series  of  brilliant  victories  and  carried  dis- 
may into  the  very  heart  of  Mexico.  The  battles  of  Con- 
treras  and  Cherubusco  followed,  and  in  each  instance  the 
Americans  were  victorious.  Then  San  Antonio  was  cap- 
tured, and  but  few  positions  lay  between  the  invaders  and 
the  metropolis  of  Mexico  itself.  On  September  8,  the  for- 
tifications called  El  Molino  del  Eey  (the  King's  Mills) 
were  carried  after  a  desperate  conflict.  On  the  same  day, 
the  Casa  de  Mata,  another  of  the  outer  defenses  of  Cha- 
pultepec,  was  also  stormed  and  carried,  and  the  Castle 
itself,  situated  on  a  rocky  height,  was  the  only  obstacle 
to  be  overcome  before  the  Americans  could  plant  their  flag 
within  the  capital  itself.  On  September  l~2,'the  castle  of 


Winfield  Scott. 


129 


130         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


Chapultepec  was  bombarded,  and  on  the  following  day  it 
was  carried  by  assault.  The  Mexican  authorities  now  sent 
a  deputation  to  General  Scott  and  begged  him  to  sparo 
the  city,  but  Scott  had  expended  a  large  number  of  lives 
in  reaching  the  metropolis  and  was  resolved  to  humbb 
the  pride  of  the  enemy  by  entering  in  force.  This  he 
did  on  September  14,  and  the  flag  of  the  United  States 
was  raised  upon  the  National  Palace  as  he  rode  in  full 
uniform  into  the  Plaza,  amid  tremendous  cheers  that 
broke  from  the  ranks. 

Scott  was  given  a  magnificent  reception  upon  his  re- 
turn to  the  United  States,  and  all  united  to  do  him  honor. 
In  1852,  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  Presidency,  but  was 
defeated.  When  the  Civil  War  broke  out  Scott  was  still 
the  commander-in-chief  of  the  army,  but  the  once  splen- 
did soldier  was  now  old  and  infirm.  He  retired  to  West 
Point,  where  his  death  occurred  on  May  29,  18G6. 


ULYSSES  S.  GRANT. 


THIS  distinguished  general  and  afterwards  the  eight- 
eenth President  of  the  United  States,  was  born  on 
April  27,  1822,  at  Point  Pleasant,  Clermont  County, 
Ohio.     His  ancestors  distinguished  themselves  in  the  old 

Scottish  wars  and  were  ever  strong  fighters  for  the  cause 

131 


132         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

of  liberty.  Ulysses'  father  was  Jesse  R.  Grant,  descended 
from  one  Matthew  Grant,  who  came  to  America  in  1630. 
He  married  Miss  Hannah  Simpson,  a  native  of  Mont- 
gomery County,  Pennsylvania,  and  followed  the  business 
of  a  tanner.  Their  son  Ulysses  was  christened  Hiram 
Ulysses  Grant,  but  the  member  of  Congress  who  appointed 
the  boy  to  a  cadetship  at  West  Point,  by  accident  changed 
the  name  to  U.  S.  Grant. 

It  is  said  of  Grant  that  he  never  liked  the  business  of 
o  tanner.  He  was  willing  to  become  a  farmer  or  follow 
almost  any  other  occupation.  He  was  a  cool,  robust,  and 
strong  boy,  neither  precocious  nor  stupid.  After  his  son 
had  become  famous,  his  father  furnished  these  anecdotes 
of  his  childhood: 

"The  leading  passion  of  Ulysses,  almost  from  the  time 
he  could  go  alone,  was  for  horses.  The  first  time  he  ever 
drove  a  horse  alone,  he  was  about  seven  and  a  half  years 
old.  I  had  gone  away  from  home  to  Ripley,  twelve  miles 
off.  I  went  in  the  morning  and  did  not  get  back  until 
night.  I  owned,  at  that  time,  a  three-year-old  colt,  which 
had  been  ridden  under  the  saddle  to  carry  the  mail,  but 
had  never  had  a  collar  on.  While  I  was  gone,  Ulysses 
got  the  colt  and  put  a  collar  and  the  harness  onto  him, 
and  hitched  him  up  to  a  sled.  -  Then  he  put  a  single  line 
onto  him,  drove  off,  loaded  up  the  sled  with  brush,  and  came 
back  again.  He  kept  at  it,  hauling  successive  loads  all 
day,  and  when  I  came  home  at  night,  he  had  a  pile  of 
brush  as  big  as  a  cabin.  At  about  ten  years  of  age,  he 
used  to  drive  a  pair  of  horses  alone  from  Georgetown^ 
where  we  lived,  forty  miles  to  Cincinnati,  and  drive  back 
a  load  of  passengers. 


Ulysses  S.  Grant.  133 

"  When  Ulysses  was  a  boy,  if  a  circus  or  any  show  came 
along  in  which  there  was  a  call  for  somebody  to  come  for- 
ward and  ride  a  pony,  he  was  always  the  one  to  present 
himself,  and  whatever  he  undertook  to  ride,  he  rode. 
This  practice  he  kept  up  until  he  got  to  be  so  large  that  he 
was  ashamed  to  ride  a  pony.  Once,  when  he  was  a  boy, 
a  show  came  along  in  which  there  was  a  mischievous  pony, 
trained  to  go  around  the  ring  like  lightning,  and  he  was 
expected  to  throw  any  boy  that  attempted  to  ride  him. 
'  Will  any  boy  come  forward  and  ride  this  pony?'  shouted 
the  ringmaster.  Ulysses  stepped  forward  and  mounted 
the  pony.  The  performance  began.  Round  and  round 
the  ring  went  the  pony,  faster  and  faster,  making  the 
greatest  effort  to  dismount  the  rider,  but  Ulysses  sat  as 
steadily  as  if  he  had  grown  to  the  pony's  back.  Presently 
out  came  a  large  monkey,  and  sprang  up  behind  Ulysses. 
The  people  set  up  a  great  shout  of  laughter,  and  on  the 
pony  ran,  but  it  all  produced  no  effect  on  the  rider.  Then 
the  ringmaster  made  the  monkey  jump  up  onto  Ulysses' 
shoulders.  It  stood  with  its  feet  on  his  shoulders  and  with 
his  hands  holding  on  to  his  hair.  At  this  there  was 
another  and  a  louder  shout,  but  not  a  muscle  of  Ulysses' 
face  moved.  A  few  more  turns,  and  the  ringmaster  gave 
it  up;  he  had  come  across  a  boy  that  the  pony  and  the 
monkey  both  could  not  dismount." 

Grant  received  an  education  at  West  Point  that  fitted 
him  for  his  work  in  life.  He  graduated  in  18-13,  standing 
twenty-first  in  a  class  of  thirty-nine.  At  West  Point  he 
was  said  to  be  a  "  plain,  common-sense,  straightforward 
youth,  shunning  notoriety,  taking  to  his  military  duties  in 
a  very  business-like  manner — not  a  prominent  man  in  the 


134         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

corps,  but  respected  by  all,  and  very  popular  with  friends. 
His  best  standing  was  in  the  mathematical  branches,  and 
their  application  to  tactics  and  military  engineering." 


Bombardment   of  Fort  Sumter. 


After  graduating  from  "West  Point,  Grant  served  bravely 
in  the  war  with  Mexico,  winning  the  approval  of  his  su- 
perior officers  for  distinguished  gallantry  under  fire,  and 


Ulysses  S.  Grant.  135 

reaching  the  rank  of  a  captain.  lie  resigned  from  the 
army  in  1854  and  retired  to  a  farm  near  St.  Louis.  In 
1859  lie  entered  into  partnership  with  his  father  in  the 
leather  business,  at  Galena,  Illinois.  "When  Fort  Sumter 


Grant   Captures   Fort  Donelson. 

was  fired  on  by  the  Confederates,  he  said -to  a  friend: 
"  The  government  educated  me  for  the  army.  What  I 
am  I  owe  to  my  country.  I  have  served  her  through  one 
war,  and,  live  or  die,  will  serve  her  through  this."  He 


136         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

raised  a  company  of  volunteers  at  once,  and  tendered  his 
and. their  services  to  the  Governor  of  Illinois,  who  at  once 
made  him  adjutant-general  of  the  State.  He  rendered 
efficient  services  in  this  position,  and  was  then  made  a 


Capture  of  the  Works  at  Petersburg. 

colonel  of  an  Illinois  regiment,  his  commission  dating 
June  15,  1861.  In  August  of  the  same  year  he  was  made 
a  brigadier-general,  and  in  December  was  appointed  com- 
mander of  the  department  of  Cairo.  He  captured  Fort 


138         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

Henry,  on  the  Tennessee  River,  and  then  Fort  Donelson, 
on  the  Cumberland  River,  acting  in  connection  with  the 
Union  gunboats.  Both  of  them  were  brilliant  affairs,  and 
Grant  was  made  a  major-general. 

Grant  fought  the  great  battle  of  Shiloh,  on  April  7, 
1862,  and  in  a  two  days'  fight  routed  the  enemy.  On  Sep- 
tember 19,  he  fought  and  won  the  battle  of  luka,  and 
then  besieged  Vicksburg.  This  stronghold  of  the  Confed- 
eracy surrendered  to  him  on  July  4,  1863.  In  November 
of  the  same  year  he  won  a  victory  at  Chattanooga  over 
General  Bragg.  On  March  1,  1864,  General  Grant  was 
made  lieutenant-general  and  commander  of  all  the  armies 
of  the  United  States.  Previous  to  this,  however,  Congress 
had  voted  him  a  gold  medal  for  his  services. 


House  Where  Lee  Surrendered. 


William  T.  Sherman.  139 

Then  Grant  planned  his  last  great  campaign,  and  the 
battles  of  the  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania  and  Cold  Harbor 
followed.  He  then  besieged  Petersburg  and  took  it,  and 
then  Richmond  fell  into  his  hands.  He  then  compelled 
General  Lee  and  his  whole  army  to  surrender  at  Appo- 
mattox  Court  House,  and  the  great  Civil  War  was  over. 
On  July  25,  1866,  Congress  created  the  rank  of  General 
and  conferred  it  upon  Grant.  In  1868  he  was  elected 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  again  in  1872.  After 
his  second  term  he  spent  several  years  in  a  voyage  around 
the  world — one  of  the  most  memorable,  in  many  respects, 
ever  known  in  history.  No  man  ever  traveled  so  far  and 
was  received  with  such  distinguished  consideration  wher- 
ever he  went.  General  Grant  made  his  home  at  Galena, 
Illinois,  after  his  return  from  his  tour,  and  later  took  up 
his  residence  in  New  York  city.  A  cancerous  affliction 
of  the  throat  now  seized  upon  him,  and  on  June  16,  1885, 
he  was  removed. to  Mt.  McGregor,  New  York,  where  he 
died  on  July  23,  1885. 

The  entire  country  went  into  mourning.  Flags  were  at 
half-mast  throughout  the  land.  On  August  8  the  last  sad 
rites  were  paid  to  the  dead  hero,  and  he  was  laid  to  rest 
at  Riverside  Park,  New  York. 


WILLIAM  T.   SHERMAN. 

WILLIAM  TECUMSEH  SHERMAN  was  born  on 
February  8,  1820,  at  Lancaster,  Ohio.  His  father 
died  when  he  was  nine  years  of  age,  and  the  boy 
was  adopted  by  the  Hon.  Thomas  Ewing,  who  placed  him 


140         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

at  school,  where  he  remained  until  he  was  sixteen  years 
old.  Mr.  Ewing  then  sent  him  to  the  United  States  Mili- 
tary Academy,  at  West  Point,  where  he  graduated  four 
years  later,  the  sixth  in  his  class. 

When  Mr.  Ewing  offered  to  adopt  one  of  the  Sherman 
children — there  were  eleven  of  them — after  the  death  of 
their  father,  the  question  arose  which  one  he  should  se- 
lect. "  I  must  have  the  smartest  of  the  lot,"  said  Mr. 
Ewing.  "  Well,  come  and  look  at  them  and  take  your 
pick,"  replied  the  mother.  Still  undecided,  Mr.  Ewing 
continued :  "  They  all  look  alike  to  me."  "  Take  '  Gump,' " 
said  the  mother  and  her  oldest  daughter;  "he's  by  far  the 
smartest."  In  after  life  General  Sherman  said  of  his 
benefactor:  "  He  ever  after  treated  me  as  his  own  son." 
And  of  Sherman  as  a  boy,  Mr.  Ewing  said:  "There  was 
nothing  especially  remarkable  about  him,  excepting  that 
I  never  knew  so  young  a  boy  who  could  do  an  errand  so 
correctly  and  promptly  as  he  did.  He  was  transparently 
honest,  faithful  and  reliable,  studious  and  correct  in  his 
habits;  his  progress  in  education  was  steady  and  sub- 
stantial." 

According  to  his  own  account  of  himself,  Sherman  was 
not  selected  for  any  office  at  West  Point,  but  remained  a 
private  throughout  the  whole  four  years.  After  his  grad- 
uation he  was  made  a  second  lieutenant  in  the  Third  Ar- 
tillery. He  served  in  various  parts  of  the  country  until 
1853,  when,  becoming  tired  of  the  monotony  of  garrison 
life,  he  resigned  his  commission  and  engaged  in  the  bank- 
ing business  at  San  Francisco.  In  1860  he  became  the 
president  of  the  Louisiana  State  Military  Academy,  but, 
resigned  when  he  saw  that  the  Civil  War  was  inevitable. 


General  William  Tecumseh  Sherman. 

JO — Military  Heroes  141 


142         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

When  the  conflict  began  Sherman  was  made  a  colonel,  and 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  commanded  a  brigade.  In  this 
battle  he  saved  General  Hunter's  command  from  annihi- 
lation. Sherman  was  at  Fort  Donelson,  and  under  Grant 


Battle  at  Chattanooga. 

at  the  bloody  battle  of  Shiloh.  Several  horses  were  killed 
under  him  at  Shiloh,  but  he  seemed  to  bear  a  charmed  life, 
although  in  the  hottest  of  the  fire.  Grant  said  of  him: 
"  To  his  individual  efforts  I  am  indebted  for  the  success 
of  this  battle." 


143 


144         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

After  Shiloh,  Sherman  was  made  a  major-general.  He 
was  conspicuous  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Chattanooga.  Early  in  1864  he  marched  towards 
Meridian,  Mississippi,  and  the  Confederates  everywhere 
retreateu  before  him.  Arrived  at  Meridian,  he  burned  the 
arsenal  and  many  other  buildings.  He  sent  out  raiding 
parties  in  every  direction  and  destroyed  everything  that 
would  benefit  the  Confederacy.  No  private  property  was 
molested,  however,  but  it  was  impossible  to  prevent  the 
soldiers  from  occasionally  raiding  a  henroost.  One  who 
was  with  the  army  said:  "  An  ardent  secession  lady  dis- 
covered a  vile  Yankee  purloining  a  pair  of  fat  chickens. 
Terribly  incensed  at  this  wanton  robbery,  she  made  a  bold 
onslaught,  but  all  her  expostulations  failed  to  convince 
the  demoralized  and  hungry  '  mudsill '  that  he  was  sin- 
ning, for  he  replied,  '  Madam!  this  accursed  rebellion  must 
be  crushed,  if  it  takes  every  chicken  in  Mississippi.' " 

Sherman  now  invaded  Georgia  and  defeated  Generals 
Johnston  and  Hood,  and  besieged  Atlanta.  In  November, 
1864,  Sherman  began  his  famous  march  to  the  sea.  For 
a  time  the  North  had  no  intelligence  from  Sherman's 
army.  "  Marching  Through  Georgia  "  has  been  celebrated 
in  song  and  story.  There  were  no  armies  to  oppose  the 
Union  forces,  and  there  were  few  conflicts  with  the  peo- 
ple. The  army  foraged  on  a  gigantic  scale,  but  there  wag 
no  pillaging.  At  last,  Fort  McAllister,  near  the  city  ot 
Savannah,  was  reached.  Sherman  watched  the  assault 
from  the  roof  of  a  mill.  To  General  Howard,  who  stood 
by  his  side,  he  said:  "  See  that  flag  in  the  advance,  How- 
ard? How  steadily  it  moves.  Not  a  man  falters.  There 
they  go  still.  Grand!  grand!  That  flag  still  goes  for- 


145 


146         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

ward!  There  is  no  flinching  there!  Look!  It  has  halted! 
They  waver — no,  it's  the  parapet!  There  they  go  again. 
Now  they  reach  it.  Some  are  over!  Look  there!  a  flag  on 
the  works!  Another!  another!  It's  ours — the  fort  is 
ours!" 

The  triumphant  march  to  the  sea  was  ended  at  Savan- 
nah. After  capturing  the  city,  Sherman  telegraphed  to 
President  Lincoln:  "  I  beg  to  present  to  you  as  a  Christ- 
mas gift  the  city  of  Savannah,  with  one  hundred  and  fifty 
guns  and  plenty  of  ammunition,  and  about  twenty-five 
thousand  bales  of  cotton." 

Sherman  was  made  lieutenant-general  in  1866,  and 
general  in  1869.  He  afterwards  traveled  abroad,  and  was 
retired  from  active  service  in  1884.  His  death  occurred 
in  the  city  of  New  York,  on  February  14,  1891. 


PHILIP  H.   SHERIDAN. 

PHILIP  HENEY  SHEEIDAN  was  born  at  Somerset, 
Ohio,  March  6,  1831.  He  was  the  son  of  .Irish 
parents,  poor  as  to  this  world's  goods,  and  very  lit- 
tle is  known  of  him  up  to  the  time  he  was  seventeen  years 
of  age,  when  he  was  sent  to  West  Point,  where  he  proved 
to  be  an  energetic  student.  He  had  a  very  quick  temper, 
however,  and  his  life  at  the  United  States  Military  Acad- 
emy was  marked  by  successive  quarrels  and  fights  in  which 
it  involved  him.  He  graduated  in  1853,  and  for  the  next 
eight  years  served  in  the  Southwest  and  on  the  Pacific 
Coast.  He  was  then  made  a  captain  and  stationed  aft 


General  Philip  H.   Sheridan. 


U7 


Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

Jefferson  Barracks,  Missouri.  In  1862  Sheridan  was  the 
colonel  of  the  Second  Michigan  Cavalry,  and  after  the 
battle  of  Booneville,  where  he  displayed  wonderful  strat- 
egic abilities,  was  made  a  brigadier-general  of  volunteers. 

At  the  battle  of  Murfreesboro  Sheridan  added  to  his 
fame  as  a  cavalry  leader.  General  Rosecrans  said  in  his 
report  of  that  battle:  "  The  constancy  and  steadfastness 
of  his  troops  enabled  the  reserve  to  reach  the  right  of  our 
army  in  time  to  turn  the  tide  of  battle,  and  changed  a 
threatened  rout  into  a  victory.  He  has  fairly  won  pro- 
motion." 

"  Little  Phil,"  as  he  was  called  in  the  army,  fought  with 
daring,  skill  and  energy  at  Chickamauga  and  at  Mission- 
ary Ridge,  and  later  General  Grant  gave  him  the  command 
of  all  the  cavalry  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

In  July,  1864,  the  Confederate  General  Early  invaded 
Pennsylvania,  and  burned  the  town  of  Chambersburg, 
contriving  to  elude  the  forces  that  were  sent  against  him. 
Then  Sheridan  was  placed  in  command  and  defeated  him 
at  Opequan,  on  September  19,  and  again  on  October  19, 
at  Cedar  Creek.  Sheridan  had  gone  to  Washington,  leav- 
ing General  Wright  in  temporary  command,  and  Early's 
assault,  when  it  came,  was  delivered  simultaneously  against 
the  front  and  rear.  Most  of  the  pickets  were  captured; 
the  rest  of  the  troops,  suddenly  aroused  from  sleep,  were 
thrown  into  confusion  and  driven  back  towards  Middle- 
town.  Eighteen  of  the  Union  guns  were  seized  by  Early 
and  turned  on  their  late  possessors,  and  for  a  time  it 
seemed  as  if  the  Union  troops  would  be  utterly  over- 
whelmed. Wright  formed  a  new  line  of  battle,  however, 
and  kept  up  a  desperate  struggle  for  five  hours,  but  his 


150         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

lines  were  retreating  when  Sheridan  rode  up,  having 
come  from  Winchester,  thirty  miles  away.  For  two  hours 
he  rode  hack  and  forth  along  the  line,  shouting:  "  Face 
the  other  way,  hoys!  face  the  other  way!  We  are  going 
back  to  our  camp!  We  are  going  to  lick  them  out  of  their 
boots."  With  shouts  and  cheers  the  soldiers  followed 
him,  filled  with  his  own  daring  courage  and  enthusiasm. 
He  threw  them  upon  the  enemy  under  an  awful  fire  of  ar- 
tillery and  musketry,  arid  soon  sent  the  foe  flying  in  utter 
rout,  winning  a  glorious  victory  and  regaining  the  guns 
that  had  been  lost  in  the  morning. 

For  his  "personal  gallantry,  military  skill  and  just 
confidence  in  the  courage  and  patriotism  of  his  troops," 
Sheridan  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major-general,  on 
November  14.  He  had  saved  the  Union  cause  from  a 
crushing  reverse  and  permanently  crippled  Early's  army. 

On  April  1,  1865,  Sheridan  gained  the  battle  of  Five 
Forks.  The  desperate  game  of  the  Confederacy  was  al- 
most played  out.  He  saw  his  men  starving  to  death,  sur- 
rounded on  every  side.  "  Then  Sheridan — that  new,  me- 
teoric, dashing  leader,  who  had  at  last  waked  up  Virginia 
to  a  realizing  sense  of  what  Yankee  cavalry  could  do  when 
properly  led,  whipped  his  way  through  the  Shenandoah, 
came  trotting  down  the  valley  of-  the  James,  tearing 
canals,  roads  and  railways  into  ruins  as  he  rode,  joined 
his  great  leader  now  reaching  round  the  southern  limits 
of  the  threatened  lines,  and  then,  one  finger  at  a  time, 
the  failing  grasp  of  Lee  on  his  last  position  began  to  let 
go;  and  on  the  first  of  April  Sheridan  once  more  had  shot 
round  the  now  quivering  flank,  fought  and  won  the  bril- 
liant battle  of  Five  Forks,  the  real  wind-up  of  the  war/' 


* 

s 


151 


152         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

After  giving  him  his  instructions,  Grant  said  to  Sheri- 
dan: "I  mean  to  end  this  business  here,"  and  Sheridan's 
reply  was:  "  That's  what  I  like  to  hear  you  say.  Let  us 
end  this  business  here."  After  the  splendid  victory  Sheri- 
dan sent  word  to  Grant  of  his  success,  and  the  commander- 
in-chief  telegraphed  President  Lincoln  that  "  Sheridan 
had  carried  everything  before  him/' 

When  Lee  retreated  from  Richmond,  Sheridan  led  the 
pursuit,  and  he  was  present  when  General  Lee  surrendered 
the  gallant  army  of  Northern  Virginia.  On  that  day 
Sheridan's  form  "was  snugly  buttoned  in  the  double- 
breasted  frock  coat  of  a  major-general,  the  dress  he  wore 
on  all  occasions  in  the  field;  his  short  legs  were  thrust  deep 
into  huge  cavalry  boots;  his  eyes  were  still  snapping  with 
the  flame  of  the  morning  fight;  his  whole  manner  was  so 
suggestive  of  the  trick  he  had  of  hitching  nervously  for- 
ward in  the  saddle  when  things  were  not  going  to  suit 
him,  that  he  looked  to  some  present  as  though  he  were 
still  disposed  to  suspect  some  ruse,  some  trick,  and  was 
ready  to  spring  to  horse  and  pitch  in  again  at  an  instant's 
notice." 

After  the  Civil  War,  Sheridan  commanded  several  mili- 
tary departments  and  was  made  lieutenant-general  in  1869. 
He  was  made  Commander-in-chief  of  all  the  United  States 
armies  upon  the  retirement  of  General  Sherman,  and 
reached  the  full  rank  of  general  on  June  1,  1888.-  He 
died  on  August  5,  1888,  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years. 
His  remains  were  buried  in  the  Arlington  National  Ceme- 
tery, and  were  followed  to  their  resting  place  by  represen- 
tatives from  every  branch  of  government  and  by  an  im- 
mense concourse  of  private  mourners. 


George  B.  McClellan.  153 


GEORGE  B.   McCLELLAN. 

GEORGE  BRINTON  McCLELLAN  was  born  in  Phil- 
adelphia, Pennsylvania,  September  3,  1826.  His 
father  was  a  physician  and  the  boy  remained  under 
his  roof  until,  at  a  proper  age,  he  was  sent  to  West  Point. 
He  graduated  in  1846,  the  second  in  his  class.  He  was 
made  a  second  lieutenant,  and  soon  afterwards  was  sent 
to  Mexico,  where  he  distinguished  himself  throughout  the 
war.  Here  he  developed  that  magnetic  attraction  which 
won  him  so  many  devoted  followers  among  his  soldiers, 
then  and  in  after  life.  He  was  cool  under  fire  at  Cerro 
Gordo  and  at  Chapultepec,  as  well  as  in  earlier  engage- 
ments, and  was  commended  by  his  superior  officers  for 
"  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct." 

After  the  close  of  the  war  with  Mexico,  McClellan  was 
intrusted  with  various  engineering  expeditions,  and  later 
was  instructed  by  the  Government  to  investigate  the  entire 
railroad  system  of  the  United  States.  His  report  was  a 
model  of  clearness  and  gave  him  a  high  reputation.  After 
executing  a  secret  mission  for  the  Government  in  the 
West  Indies,  McClellan  was  sent  to  Europe,  with  two 
other  army  officers,  to  study  the  European  armies  in  the 
Crimea.  The  report  of  this  commission  led  to  great 
changes  in  fortifications  and  military  and  naval  equipment 
in  the  United  States.  In  1857,  McClellan  resigned  from 
the  army  and  became  superintendent  and  afterwards  pres- 
ident of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad. 


154         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

When  the  Civil  War  broke  out,  McClellan  was  employed 
by  the  Governor  of  Ohio  to  organize  the  troops  from  that 
state,  and  on  May  13,  1861,  he  was  assigned  to  the  com- 


Battle  of  Malvera  Hill. 


mand  of  the  Department  of  the  Ohio.  Two  campaigns 
in  Western  Virginia  followed,  in  which  he  was  very  suc- 
cessful, receiving  the  thanks  of  Congress.  In  1861,  he 


General  George  B.  McClellan. 


155 


156         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

was  relieved  of  his  command  and  given  that  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  a  body  of  troops  which  soon  assumed  chape 
under  the  effects  of  his  superb  discipline.  In  this  work 
he  displayed  rare  genius  and  great  organizing  qualities. 

McClellan  marched  towards  Richmond;  captured  York- 
town;  fought  many  battles  on  the  Chickahominy,  and  then 
whipped  the  Confederate  General  Lee  at  Malvern  Hill. 
Previous  to  this  engagement,  McClellan's  operations  had 
been  severely  criticized  by  the  public  and  the  press.  It 
seemed  as  though  the  patience  of  the  country  was  ex- 
hausted by  the  failure  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  to  ac- 
complish anything  tangible,  and  the  people  were  exas- 
perated at  the  severe  losses  that  the  Confederates  had 
inflicted  upon  that  splendid  body  of  troops.  President 
Lincoln  telegraphed  to  McClellan,  "  I  think  the  time  is 
near  when  you  must  either  attack  Richmond  or  give 
up  the  job  and  come  to  the  defence  of  Washington." 

On  June  30,  1862,  McClellan  found  himself  in  posses- 
sion of  Malvern  Hill.  Not  content  with  this  strong  posi- 
tion, he  left  the  army  there,  and  on  the  gunboat  Galena  ' 
searched  for  a  place  on  the  river  which  would  be  the  "  final 
location  of  the  army  and  its  depots."  In  his  absence,  the 
battle  of  Malvern  Hill  was  fought;  but  the  Confederate 
Army,  under  General  Lee,  was  beaten  back.  McClellan 
did  not  follow  up  this  decisive  victory,  however,  but  fell 
back  to  Harrison's  Landing.  McClellan's  most  devoted 
adherents  were  dissatisfied  and  even  indignant  at  this 
policy. 

In  August,  McClellan  marched  to  the  Potomac  to  re- 
sist the  Confederates  who  had  invaded  Maryland.  He 
fought  the  two  days'  battle  of  Antietam  in  September, 


158         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

but  again  delayed  in  following  up  his  victory.  In  Novem- 
ber, the  command  of  the  army  was  taken  from  him  and 
given  to  General  Burnside.  After  that  McClellan  took  no 
part  in  the  war. 

In  1864,  McClellan  was  nominated  for  the  Presidency, 
but  was  defeated.  He  then  resigned  his  commission  in 
the  army  and  passed  some  time  in  Europe.  Upon  his 
return  to  the  United  States  he  was  employed  as  an  en- 
gineer in  several  important  undertakings,  and  was  Gov- 
ernor of  New  Jersey  from  1878  to  1881.  His  death  oc- 
curred on  October  29,  1885. 


AMBROSE   E.  BURNSIDE. 

AMBROSE  EVERETT  BURNSIDE  came  of  Scotch 
ancestry.  He  was  born  on  May  23,  1824,  at  Liberty, 
Indiana.  He  was  sent  to  West  Point,  and  gradu- 
ated from  there  in  1847.  He  then  served  in  New  Mex- 
ico, and  was  made  a  first-lieutenant  in  1852.  He  invented 
a  breech-loading  rifle  and  introduced  some  changes  in  the 
method  of  carrying  infantry  knapsacks.  Meanwhile  he 
had  resigned  his  commission  in  the  army,  but  four  days 
after  the  first  call  for  troops  to  defend  the  Union  he  was 
on  the  way  to  Washington  as^colonel  of  the  First  Rhode 
Island  Volunteers.  He  commanded  a  brigade  at  the  battle 
of  Bull  Run  and  soon  afterwards  was  promoted  to  be  a 
brigadier-general. 

Burnside  commanded  the  expedition  that  had  for  its 
object  the  capture  of  Newbern  and  Roanoke,  early  in 
1862.  On  January  13,  he  made  a  splendid  assault  on  the 


Ambrose  E.  Burnside. 


159 


Confederate  works  and  carried  them,  sweeping  everything 
before  him.  The  victory  was  brilliant  and  decisive,  and 
Burnside  was  made  a  major-general  in  consequence.  Af- 
terwards Burnside  compelled  the  surrender  of  Fort  Macon 


General  Ambrose  E.  Burnside. 

and  the  city  of  Beaufort.  Later  he  won  the  battle  of 
South  Mountain  and  commanded  the  left  wing  of  Mc- 
Clellan's  army  at  Antietam. 

On  November  7,  1862,  McClellan  surrendered  the  com- 
mand of  his  army  to  General  Burnside.     Previous  to  this 


160         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

date,  the  position  had  been  offered  to  Burnside,  but  had 
been  refused.  It  was  only  on  the  peremptory  order  of 
the  War  Department  that  he  accepted  it  now.  Burnside 
reorganized  the  army,  somewhat,  and  then  moved  on  Fred- 
ericksburg,  situated  on  the  southern  side  of  the  Eappa- 
hannock,  where  the  Confederates  had  posted  heavy 
batteries.  Burnside  had  at  this  time  an  army  of  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand  men  and  a  splendid  artillery  train. 
It  took  him  weeks  to  build  pontoon  bridges  and  transfer 
his  army  across  the  river,  but  it  was  finally  accomplished 
and  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg  began  at  an  early  hour 
on  December  13,  1862.  Burnside  hoped  to  cut  the 
enemy's  line  in  two,  but  was  unable  to  do  so.  Again  and 
again  the  Union  divisions  were  ordered  to  expel  the  Con- 
federates from  the  woods  and  hills  back  of  Fredericks- 
burg  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  but  every  assault  that 
was  made  by  the  Union  forces  was  beaten  back  by  the 
enemy.  The  contest  continued  until  dark,  but  the  Union 
troops  were  unable  to  win  a  single  yard  or  dislodge  their 
opponents  from  their  possessions.  Neither  army  assumed 
the  defensive  on  the  following  day,  but  later,  Burnside,  in- 
fluenced by  the  advice  of  his  generals,  withdrew  from  his 
perilous  position.  Two  days  later  Lee  found  nothing  before 
him  but  a  deserted  land,  a  ruined  town,  a  winding  river  and 
a  line  of  batteries  frowning  from  the  opposite  shore.  The 
affair  was  disastrous  to  the  Union  cause,  but  Burnside 
took  the  entire  responsibility  of  it  upon  himself  and  re- 
signed the  command  of  the  army. 

In  1863,  Burnside  drove  the  Confederates  out  of  East 
Tennessee  and  made  a  brilliant  entry  into  Knoxville,  where 
the  loyal  inhabitants  received  him  with  great  demonstra- 
tions of  joy.  His  operations  were  successful  until,  in  1864, 


George  H.  Thomas.  161 

while  assisting  Grant  before  Petersburg,  his  secret  mining 
operations  proved  a  failure  and  the  enemy  were  actually 
benefited  by  the  explosion  that  was  confidently  expected 
to  benefit  the  Union  cause.  Burnside  proffered  his  resig- 
nation, but  it  was  not  accepted  and  a  leave  of  absence 
was  given  him  instead.  He  eventually  resigned  from  the 
army  in  1865,  and  the  following  year  was  elected  Governor 
of  Khode  Island.  He  visited  Europe  in  1870  and  tried 
his  hand  at  mediation  between  the  powers  of  France  and 
Germany,  but  without  success.  He  afterwards  served 
Rhode  Island  in  Congress.  His  death  took  place  on  Sep- 
tember 13,  1881,  at  Bristol,  in  that  state. 


GEORGE   H.   THOMAS. 

GEORGE  HENRY  THOMAS,  was  born  on  July  31, 
1816,  in  Southampton  County,  Virginia.  He  was 
the  child  of  wealthy  parents  and  received  an  ex- 
cellent education.  When  twenty  years  of  age,  he  entered 
the  United  States  Military  Academy  at  West  Point,  and 
graduated  the  twelfth  in  his  class  of  forty-five,  in  1840. 
He  was  made  a  second  lieutenant  in  the  Third  Artillery, 
and  his  first  service  was  against  the  Seminole  Indians 
in  Florida.  His  conduct  in  battle  was  gallant  and  irre- 
proachable, and  later  he  was  stationed  at  Fort  Moultrie, 
and  still  later  at  Fort  McHenrv.  In  1845,  he  was  in  Mex- 
ico with  General  Taylor.  He  was  conspicuous  at  the 
storming  of  Monterey  and  bore  a  distinguished  part  at 


162         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

the  battle  of  Buena  Vista.  After  the  close  of  the  Mex- 
ican war,  after  performing  various  services  at  different 
points,  he  was  an  instructor  at  West  Point  for  about  three 
years.  He  then  served  with  distinction  in  the  "West,  and 
in  1860,  asked  for  and  obtained  a  short  leave  of  absence — 
the  first  he  had  asked  for  during  a  service  of  twenty  years. 
Although  a  native  of  Virginia,  Thomas  remained  faith- 
ful to  the  Union  instead  of  following  the  fortunes  of  his 
state,  and  was  soon  in  command  of  a  brigade,  with  the 
rank  of  colonel.  During  the  early  part  of  the  Civil  War, 
he  fought  under  Rosecrans  and  Grant,  and  in  1862  was 
made  a  major-general.  He  distinguished  himself  at  Mill 
Spring  and  at  Shiloh,  and  then  commanded  the  post  at 
Nashville.  He  became  the  faithful  friend  and  adviser  of 
his  superior  officers  and  was  known  as  one  on  whom  they 
could  rely.  Rosecrans  gave  him  great  credit  at  Murfrees- 
boro,  and  then  came  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  where  his 
bold  stand  saved  the  Union  army  from  destruction.  It 
was  his  rock -like  firmness  that  saved  the  army  fr3m  a  ter- 
rible beating  and  from  being  driven  out  of  Tennessee.  At 
a  critical  time  during  the  battle,  and  when  reinforcements 
were  badly  needed,  Thomas  sat  upon  his  horse  watching 
the  advance  of  heavy  columns,  away  to  his  left.  Not 
knowing  whether  they  were  friends  or  foes,  he  raised  his 
glass  and  in  silence  watched  the  advancing  troops.  Turn- 
ing to  his  staff  after  a  few  moments,  he  said:  "Take 
my  glass,  some  of  you  whose  horse  is  steady,  and  tell  me 
what  you  can  see."  One  of  his  officers  thought  he  could 
make  out  the  "  Stars  and  Stripes."  "  Thomas  caught  up 
his  glass  again,  and  watched  the  advancing  column  with 
deepening  anxiety.  Suddenly  the  glass  was  lowered,  and  a 


George  H.  Thomas. 


163 


load  was  lifted  from  his  heart.  A  light  wind  caught  the 
standards  and  flapped  out  every  fold  to  its  fullest  extent, 
and  the  sunlight,  breaking  through  the  clouds  of  dust, 
shone  on  the  red  and  blue  bars  and  the  white  crescent  of 
Gordon  Granger's  battle-flag."  None  too  soon,  though;  but 


General  George  H.  Thomas. 

Thomas  held  his  ground  as  the  battle  ebbed  and  flowed, 
and  fell  back  suddenly  during  the  night,  unmolested  by 
the  enemy. 

Later,    General    Bragg    invested    Chattanooga,   which 


164         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

Thomas  was  holding.  Grant  sent  word  to  hold  out  to  the 
last.  Thomas'  answer  was:  "  I  will  hold  the  town  till  we 
starve !" 

In  1864,  Thomas  commanded  the  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland under  General  Sherman.  He  decided  the  fate  of 
Atlanta,  and  then  Sherman  left  him  to  whip  Hood  and 
cover  his  rear  during  his  march  to  the  sea.  Sherman 
afterwards  said:  "If  Thomafc  had  not  whipped  Hood  at 
Nashville,  six  hundred  miles  away,  my  plans  would  have 
failed,  and  I  would  have  been  denounced  the  world  over. 
But  I  knew  General  Thomas  and  the  troops  under  his 
command  and  never  for  a  moment  doubted  a  favorable 
result/' 

Thomas'  task  was  to  improvise  an  army  with  which  to 
repel  Hood's  invasion  of  Tennessee,  and  he  did  it.  In  the 
two  days'  fighting  at  Nashville,  he  completely  smashed 
the  Confederate  general.  After  the  magnificent  charge 
of  the  second  day,  a  captured  Confederate  general  said, 
"  Why,  sir,  it  was  the  most  wonderful  thing  I  ever  wit- 
nessed. I  saw  your  men  coming  and  held  my  fire — a  full 
brigade,  too — until  they  were  in  close  range,  could  almost 
see  the  whites  of  their  eyes,  and  then  poured  my  volley  right 
into  their  faces.  I  supposed,  of  course,  that  when  the  smoke 
lifted,  your  line  would  be  broken  and  your  men  gone; 
but  it  is  surprising,  sir,  it  never  staggered  them.  Why, 
they  did  not  even  come  forward  on  a  run.  But  right 
along,  cool  as  fate,  your  line  swung  up  the  hill,  and  your 
men  walked  right  up  to  and  over  my  works  and  around 
my  brigade  before  we  knew  they  were  upon  us.  It  wa? 
astonishing,  sir,  such  fighting." 

Thomas  was  known  to  his  soldiers  as  old  "  Major  Slow- 


166         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

Trot,"  but  they  worshiped  him.  He  received  a  gold 
medal  from  the  state  of  Tennessee  for  his  victory  at  Nash- 
ville, also  the  thanks  of  Congress,  and  was  made  a 
major-general  in  the  regular  army.  In  1868,  he  declined 
the  office  of  lieutenant-general,  saying  he  had  done  nothing 
to  deserve  it.  His  death  occurred  at  San  Francisco,  on 
March  28,  1870. 


JOSEPH  HOOKER. 

FIGHTING  JOE   HOOKER,"   as    he   came   to   be 
called  during  the  Peninsular  campaign  of  the  Civil 
War,  was  born  at  Hadley,  Massachusetts,  Novem- 
ber 13, 1814.     He  graduated  from  West  Point  in  1837,  and 
fought  in  the  Florida  and   Mexican    Wars,   being    three 
times  promoted  for  gallant  conduct.       He  resigned  his 
commission  in  1853,  a.nd  settled  down  to  the  life  of  a 
farmer,  in  the  West.     He  entered  the  army  again  in  1861, 
and  soon  became  a  brigadier-general.     A  year  later  he  was 
promoted  to  be  a  major-general. 

Hooker  made  himself  conspicuous  for  bravery,  dash, 
and  daring  throughout  McClellan's  operations  before 
Richmond,  and  in  the  Maryland  campaign  that  followed 
he  participated  actively,  especially  at  South  Mountain. 
He  was  wounded  at  Antietam  and  compelled  to  retire  from 
the  field.  He  commanded  a  division  under  Burnside  at 
Fredericksburg,  and  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  after  the  resignation  of  that  gen- 
eral. 


Joseph  Hooker. 


167 


When  Hooker  assumed  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  it  was  in  a  despondent  state,  as  was  the  country 
itself,  but  he  succeeded  in  reorganizing  it  and  took  the 
field  with  a  splendid  force  in  a  high  state  of  discipline. 


General  Joseph  Hooker. 

Heavy  rains  and  swollen  streams  were  against  him  on 
his  way  to  Chancellorsville,  but  he  made  his  celebrated 
"mud  march"  of  thirty-seven  miles,  encumbered  with 
baggage  and  artillery,  crossed  two  rivers  and  reached 
Chancellorsville  on  April  30,  1863.  The  bloody  battle 


168         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

that  ensued  was  precipitated  by  the  Confederate  General 
Jackson,  who  fell  upon  the  right  of  Hooker's  army.  The 
corps  that  was  attacked  was  preparing  supper  and  arrang- 
ing for  the  night.  Suddenly,  Jackson's  men  made  the 
attack  and  drove  the  Union  forces  before  them.  A  fur- 
ious conflict  took  place  later,  when  Hooker  attempted  to 
recover  the  field.  He  was  wounded  and  for  a  time  was 
unable  to  direct  the  operations  of  his  troops.  His  army 
was  divided,  while  that  of  the  enemy  was  not,  and  Hooker 
was  obliged  to  retreat.  He  resigned  his  command  on  June 
27,  1863,  and  General  Meade  took  his  place. 

Later  in  the  year,  Hooker  was  at  Chattanooga,  and  dur- 
ing the  "  battle  above  the  clouds,"  won  imperishable  re- 
nown. No  battle  was  ever  like  it.  The  impossible  was 
attempted.  At  the  word  "Forward!"  the  troops  rushed 
forward  over  ravines,  felled  trees,  and  rough  boulders;  on 
and  always  up,  lost  in  the  clouds  that  wrapped  Lookout 
Mountain  in  their  fleecy  folds,  until  the  foe  was  driven 
from  the  summit,  and  the  LTnion  flag  unfurled  fifteen  hun- 
dred feet  above  the  Tennessee.  "  At  two  o'clock,  a  glow- 
ing line  of  lights  glittered  obliquely  across  the  breast  of 
Lookout.  It  was  the  Federal  autograph  scored  along  the 
mountain.  They  were  our  camp-fires.  Our  wounded  lay 
there  through  all  the  dreary  nights  of  rain,  unrepining 
and  content.  Our  unharmed  heroes  lay  there  upon  their 
arms.  Our  dead  lay  there, '  and  surely  they  slept  well.' " 

Hooker  was  with  Sherman  in  his  march  to  the  sea.  His 
last  great  contest  with  the  Confederates  was  near  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  where  he  "  bore  the  brunt  of  the  shock."  He 
resigned  in  August,  1864,  when  an  officer  inferior  in  rank 
was  promoted  over  him,  but  later  he  commanded  different 


Joseph  Hooker.  169 

departments  in  the  army  and  was  mustered  out  of  the 
volunteer  service  in  September,  1866.  Two  years  later 
he  was  breveted  major-general  in  the  regular  army  and 
later,  retired  to  private  life.  He  died  at  Garden  City, 
New  York,  on  October  31,  1879. 


GEORGE  G.  MEADE. 

GEORGE  GORDON"  MEADE,  the  "Hero  of  Gettys- 
burg," was  born  on  December  30,  1815,  at  Cadiz, 
Spain,  where  his  father  at  that  time  was  United 
States  consul.  His  grandfather  was  a  patriotic  merchant 
of  Philadelphia,  and  at  one  time,  when  it  was  sorely 
needed,  made  the  Continental  Government  a  present  of 
several  thousand  dollars.  When  but  twenty  years  of  age, 
Meade  graduated  from  West  Point,  served  for  a  while 
against  the  Indians  in  Florida,  and  then  resigned  his 
commission,  becoming  a  civil  engineer.  He  entered  the 
army  again  in  1840,  and  during  the  Mexican  War  served 
on  the  staffs  of  both  General  Taylor  and  General  Scott. 
The  city  of  Philadelphia  gave  him  a  sword  of  honor  upon 
his  return  from  the  campaign. 

Meade  engaged  in  the  Civil  War,  and  was  made  a  briga- 
dier-general after  the  battle  of  Bull  Run.  He  was  with 
McClellan  during  the  Peninsular  and  Maryland  campaigns. 
He  especially  distinguished  himself  at  Antietam,  having 
two  horses  shot  under  him  in  a  headlong  charge  against 


170         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

the  Confederates  in  the  early  part  of  the  battle,  in  which 
he  was  wounded.  In  1863,  he  was  given  the  command 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  having  been  made  a  major- 
general  previously. 

In  June,  1863,  both  the  Union  and  Confederate  armies 
were  north  of  the  Potomac,  and  the  whole  country  held  its 
breath  as  it  waited  for  the  result  of  the  combat  that  must 
soon  follow.  On  one  side  was  the  noble  Lee,  the  idol  of 
the  South,  with  his  superbly  disciplined  infantry;  the  hard 
riding  troopers  of  Stuart;  "  Stonewall  "  Jackson's  old  com- 
mand under  Ewell;  A.  P.  Hill,  a  most  gallant  officer;  Long- 
street,  with  a  magnificent  force,  including  Hood's  Tcxans, 
and  Pickett  with  his  Virginians.  These  and  other  gallant 
Confederates  fought  for  the  South  in  the  greatest  battle 
ever  known  on  the  continent. 

Against  them  was  Meade,  a  modest,  faithful  soldier,  a 
man  who  commanded  respect,  and  under  him  were  Rey- 
nolds, the  brilliant;  the  knightly  Hancock;  brave  Sickles; 
Sykes,  the  reliable;  Howard,  eminent  for  piety;  Slocum, 
the  senior  of  many  in  rank,  and  scores  of  other  brave  and 
determined  fighters. 

The  story  of  the  three  days  of  desperate  fighting  when 
the  North  and  the  South  grappled  at  Gettysburg,  requires 
volumes  for  the  telling.  The  first  day's  combat  opened 
in  the  forenoon  of  July  1.  The  Confederates  advanced 
and  engaged  Reynolds'  corps  on  the  western  side  of  the 
town.  Reynolds  rode  forward  to  superintend  his  troops 
in  person,  but  was  immediately  killed  by  a  rifle  bullet. 
The  command  then  devolved  on  General  Doubleday,  but 
he  was  not  able  to  check  the  Confederate  advance.  The 
scene  of  the  fighting  was  a  small  open  valley,  consisting 


General  George  G.  Meade. 


171 


Military  Heroes  of  tlie  United  States. 

of  ploughed  fields,  bounded  by  thickly  wooded  uplands. 
Howard,  riding  in  advance  of  his  troops,  then  came  up  and 
took  command,  but  still  the  Southerners  gained  ground. 
Then  Meade  sent  Hancock  to  take  the  chief  command,  and 
with  Howard  he  formed  the  broken  corps  afresh  on  the 
summit  of  the  rising  ground.  The  Confederates  occupied 
the  town  that  night. 

General  Meade  arrived  at  Cemetery  Ridge  at  one  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  and  inspected  the  field.  In  the  afternoon 
the  Confederates  advanced,  and  Longstreet  attacked  the 
Union  left,  commanded  by  Sickles.  In  spite  of  all  his  resist- 
ance, Sickles  was  driven  back  with  terrible  loss,  and  he 
himself  was  severely  wounded.  But  Meade  strengthened 
his  lines  and  his  guns  did  terrible  execution,  and  at  this 
point  the  Southern  troops  were  compelled  to  retire. 
Ewell  attacked  Cemetery  Hill  and  demonstrations  were 
made  against  other  portions  of  the  Union  line,  but  these 
attempts  were  not  well  supported,  and  the  result  of  the 
day's  operations  was  that  the  Confederates  were  driven 
back  with  enormous  loss.  Meade's  troops  also  suffered  se- 
verely. 

The  struggle  began  again  on  the  morning  of  July  3, 
this  time  on  the  left  of  the  Confederate  line.  All  the 
strength  of  the  enemy  was  gathered  n.p  and  thrown  in 
one  last,  desperate  effort  on  the  Union  forces.  At  half- 
past  twelve  a  furious  cannonade  burst  from  more  than 
one  hundred  guns,  forming  the  batteries  of  Longstreet 
and  Hill.  Ewell's  guns  were  directed  against  the  slopes 
of  Cemetery  Hill.  The  Union  guns  blazed  in  reply  and 
for  two  hours  the  narrow  valley  thundered  and  roared  with 
an  infernal  interchange  of  death.  Great  limbs 


174         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

torn  from  trees;  rocks  were  splintered,  and  death  and 
destruction  scattered  far  and  wide.  Then  Pickett's  Vir- 
ginians charged.  In  a  vast,  surging,  gray  wave,  they  tore 
up  the  slope  and  gained  ihe  crest,  only  to  be  heaten  back 
by  the  blue  lines  blazing  with  fire.  It  was  a  combat  of 
giants.  Battle  flags  were  shot  to  earth  quicker  than  men 
could  pick  them  up.  The  gray  coats  dropped  by  hundreds 
as  regiments  and  brigades  came  to  the  assistance  of  those 
who  defended  the  crest  of  the  line,  and  Pickett  made  his 
way  back  under  cover  of  the  friendly  smoke.  Desultory 
engagements  took  place  in  other  parts  of  the  field,  but  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg  was  over  and  a  thrill  of  hope  ran 
through  the  North,  "  such  as  had  not  been  known  since  the 
beginning  of  the  long  and  cruel  war."  The  tide  had  at  last 
turned,  but  not  until  Virginia  had  ridden  on  the  topmost 
wave  and  been  dashed  on  the  rocks  of  Gettysburg. 

After  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  "Congress  promoted 
Meade  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general  in  the  regular  army. 
He  remained,  however,  at  the  head  ef  the  Army  of  the  Po- 
tomac and  enjoyed  the  confidence  of  Grant,  who  was  then 
Lieutenant-General  of  the  armies.  After  the  surrender  of 
Lee's  army,  Meade  was  made  a  major-general  in  the  regular 
army  and  later  was  given  command  of  the  military  division 
of  the  Atlantic,  with  headquarters  in  Philadelphia.  He 
died  in  that  city  on  November  6,  1872,  in  a  house  which 
his  gratified  countrymen  had  presented  to  him. 


George  A.  Ouster.  175 


GEORGE  A.   OUSTER. 

GEORGE  ARMSTRONG  OUSTER,  the  dashing  cav- 
alryman whose  name  is  everywhere  associated  with 
brave  and  chivalrous  daring,  was  born  on  December 
5th,  1839,  in  the  little  village  of  New  Rumley,  Ohio.  As  a 
boy  he  was  a  sturdy  little  fellow  with  flaxen  hair,  amiable 
in  his  disposition,  and  very  fond  of  playing  soldier.  When 
quite  young  he  made  his  home  with  a  relative  in  Monroe, 
Michigan,  and  in  the  schools  of  that  town  acquired  an  edu- 
cation that  qualified  him  for  a  successful  examination  to 
the  Military  Academy  at  West  Point.  He  entered  in 
.1857,  made  rapid  progress  in  his  studies  and  especially  ex- 
celled in  horsemanship. 

After  graduating  from  West  Point,  Ouster  reported  for 
duty  at  Washington.  He  was  at  once  made  the  bearer  of 
despatches  to  General  McDowell  and  assigned  to  Company 
G,  Second  Cavalry.  Later  he  served  on  the  staff  of  Gen- 
eral Kearney.  His  first  actual  fighting  was  in  a  skirmish 
with  a  detachment  of  Confederates,  whom  he  routed  at 
the  head  of  his  company.  Later,  he  obtained  leave  of 
absence  ftnd  visited  his  old  home  at  Monroe.  While  there 
he  indulged  some  of  the  habits  he  had  acquired  in  the 
field — he  became  intoxicated  and  was  seen  on  the  street 
in  that  condition.  His  sorrowing  sister  reproved  him  so 
judiciously,  however,  that  the  heart  of  the  young  man 
was  touched.  It  was  the  turning  point  in  his  life.  He 
made  a  solemn  pledge  not  to  taste  a  drop  of  intoxicating 


176         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

spirit  as  long  as  he  lived.  He  kept  his  word  and  became 
a  sincere  Christian. 

Keturning  to  the  field,  Ouster  performed  various  duties. 
He  served  on  the  staff  of  General  W.  F.  Smith  and  was 
in  charge  of  balloon  reconnoissances.  On  one  occasion  he 
crossed  the  Chickahominy  River  to  make  observations,  and 
on  his  return,  wet,  muddy  and  untidy,  was'  summoned  to 
General  McClellan's  presence.  They  conversed  for  a  short 
time  and  the  General  offered  him  a  place  on  his  staff.  Cus- 
ter  accepted  gladly  and  performed  splendid  services  in  that 
capacity. 

Many  incidents  are  related  of  Ouster's  personal  bravery 
and  daring.  By  a  dashing  movement  he  fell  upon  the 
celebrated  "Louisiana  Tigers,"  captured  them  and  their 
colors  and  returned  in  safety.  He  served  through  the 
Peninsular  campaign  and  was  continually  performing  bril- 
liant feats.  On  one  occasion,  he  heard  the  young  bugler 
cry  out,  "  Captain!  Captain!  here  are  two  '  Secesh  '  after 
me/7  He  captured  one  and  sent  him  to  the  rear,  but  the 
other  set  off  with  Custer  after  him.  The  man  would  not 
surrender,  so  Custer  was  obliged  to  shoot  him.  His  spoils 
were  a  splendid  horse,  saddle  and  trappings,  and  a  mag- 
nificent sword. 

Custer  was  afterwards  on  General  Pleasanton's  staff, 
and  at  the  fight  at  Aldie  with  Stuart's  cavalry  he  won 
the  star  of  a  brigadier-general.  Ivilpatrick,  Douty ,  and 
Custer  led  the  charge.  Douty  was  killed,  Kilpatrick's 
horse  was  shot  under  him,  but  Custer  bore  a  charmed  life 
and  led  his  men  to  victory.  He  was  afterwards  made  com- 
mander of  the  Michigan  cavalry  brigade.  At  Gettysburg, 
he  charged  at  the  head  of  a  company  and  drove  the  enemy 


177 


178         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

before  him.     When  Lee  surrendered,  his  first  flag  of  truce 
was  sent  to  Ouster. 

After  the  war,  Ouster,  who  had  been  mustered  out  as 
a  major-general  of  volunteers,  was,  in  the  reorganization 
of  the  army,  made  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Seventh  Cav- 
alry, and  in  1867,  was  sent  to  the  plains.  He  became 
a  great  hunter  and  had  many  perilous  adventures  fighting 
the  Indians.  His  success  as  an  Indian  fighter  exceeded 
that  of  any  officer  in  the  army.  His  last  battle  was  fought 
on  the  Little  Big  Horn  River,  June  25,  1876.  By  the 
blunders  and  incompetency  of  his  subordinates,  Ouster 
found  himself  surrounded  by  swarms  \)i  Indians  under 
Chief  Rain-in-the-Face.  The  heroie  band  made  a  desper- 
ate stand,  but  every  man  was  killed.  Ouster  was  the  last 
to  fall.  He  was  shot  by  Rain-in-the-Face  himself,  in 
fulfilment  of  a  vow  he  had  made.  All  were  buried  on  the 
spot  where  they  fell  and  a  monument  to  their  memory 
was  erected  by  the  Government,  bearing  their  names  and 
titles.  Latei  Ouster's  remains  were. removed  to  "West 
Point  and  interred  in  the  United  States  cemetery.  Of 
Ouster  it  has  been  said,  "  Truth  and  sincerity,  honor  and 
bravery,  tenderness  and  sympathy,  unassuming  piety 
temperance,  were  the  mainsprings  of  Ouster,  the  man  '' 


Elmer  E.  Ellsworth.  179 


ELMER  E.  ELLSWORTH. 

THE  pure  and  noble  manhood  of  Elmer  Ephraim  Ells- 
worth and  his  martyrdom  early  in  the  Civil  War 
have  endeared  him  to  the  people  of  the  United 
States.  He  was  born  on  April  23,  1836,  at  Mechanics- 
Tille,  New  York.  His  education  was  acquired  at  common 
schools.  He  then  learned  the  trade  of  a  printer  and  later 
set  up  in  business  for  himself.  Through  the  dishonesty 
of  others  he  failed  in  business,  but  he  did  not  complain 
and  began  the  study  of  law,  earning  a  meagre  living  by 
copying  papers  and  documents  whenever  he  could  obtain 
such  employment.  He  had  a  terrible  struggle  with  pov- 
erty, but  would  accept  no  favors  or  courtesies  that  he 
feared  he  would  be  unable  to  return. 

He  is  described  as  having  a  voice  which  was  "  deep  and 
musical,  and  instantly  attracted  attention.  His  form, 
though  slight,  was  very  compact  and  commanding;  the 
head  statuesquely  poised  and  crowned  with  a  luxuriance 
of  curling  black  hair;  a  hazel  eye,  bright  though  serene, 
the  eye  of  a  gentleman  as  well  as  a  soldier;  a  nose  such  as 
you  see  on  Roman  medals;  a  light  mustache  just  shading 
the  lips  that  were  continually  curving  into  the  sunniest 
smiles/' 

Previous  to  the  Civil  War,  he  became  interested  in 
military  science  and  developed  into  an  enthusiast  in  that 
direction.  He  saw  the  defects  in  the  militia  drill  of  the 
United  States,  and  set  about  demonstrating  his  theories. 


180         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

He  was  a  superb  fencer,  holding  his  own  against  the  most 
dashing  swordsmen  of  two  worlds.  He  was  a  magnificent 
shot  with  a  revolver.  He  organized  the  United  States 
Zouave  Cadets  of  Chicago,  in  1859,  clothing  and  drilling 
them  according  to  his  own  ideas.  "  He  drilled  these 
.young  men  for  about  a  year,  at  short  intervals.  His  dis- 
cipline was  very  severe  and  rigid.  The  slightest  exhibi- 
tion of  intemperance  or  licentiousness  was  punished  by 
instant  degradation  and  expulsion.  He  struck  from  the 
rolls  at  one  time  twelve  of  his  best  men  for  breaking  the 
rule  of  total  abstinence.  His  moral  power  over  them  was 
perfect  and  absolute.  Any  one  of  them  would  have  died 
for  him!"  He  also  organized  and  Grilled  other  companies 
at  different  points.  He  gave  exhibition  drills  at  fairs 
and  at  New  York,  Boston,  Philadelphia  and  Washington. 
New  York's  crack  organization  was  vanquished  by  the 
Ellsworth  Zouaves  and  their  fame  spread  throughout  the 
•  country. 

At  one  time  Ellsworth  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  at  Springfield,  Illinois.  When  the  President- 
elect went  to  Washington  for  his  inauguration,  Ellsworth 
was  among  his  escort.  When  the  Civil  War  broke  out, 
he  rushed  to  New  York  and  raised  a  regiment  among  the 
New  York  firemen.  He  recruited,  drilled  and  had  them 
in  Washington  within  three  weeks.  His  regiment  was 
the  idol  of  the  public  and  he  personally  attended  to  every 
detail  of  regimental  business. 

On  the  night  of  May  23,  1861,  Ellsworth  and  his  Zou- 
aves crossed  the  Potomac  and  entered  Alexandria.  His 
mission  was  to  take  possession  of  the  telegraph  office  and 
to  stop  railroad  communication.  Observing  the  flag  that 


-.  '.          ;.,    . 


Elmer  E.  Ellsworth. 


181 


182         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

was  flying  over  the  Marshall  House,  Ellsworth  entered  the 
hotel  with  a  detachment  of  his  men,  and  asked  a  partially 
undressed  man  whom  he  met  what  flag  it  was.  The  man 
replied  that  he  knew  nothing  about  it.  Ellsworth  then 
ran  up-stairs  to  the  roof  and  cut  down  the  flag.  On  his 
way  back  a  man  shot  him  in  the  breast  with  a  double- 
barrelled  gun.  Private  Brownell  immediately  shot  the 
man,  who  proved  to  be  one  Jackson,  the  proprietor  of  the 
hotel,  and  the  man  of  whom  Ellsworth  had  inquired  re- 
garding the  flag.  An  eye  witness  of  the  murder  said: 
"  The  chaplain  turned  him  over  and  I  stooped  and  called 
his  name  aloud,  at  which,  I  think  he  murmured  inarticu- 
lately. Winser  and  I  lifted  the  body  with  all  care,  and 
laid  it  upon  a  bed  in  a  room  near  by.  The  rebel  flag, 
stained  with  his  blood,  we  laid  about  his  feet." 

Ellsworth's  remains  were  removed  to  "Washington  and 
laid  in  state  in  the  White  House.  On  May  25,  funeral 
obsequies  were  held  amid  the  tolling  of  bells  and  universal 
grief.  Honors  were  paid  the  body  of  the  young  martyr 
in  the  cities  through  which  it  passed  on  its  way  to  the 
home  of  his  parents  at  Mechanicsville,  where  it  was  in- 
terred. 


Robert  E.  Lee.  183 


ROBERT  E.  LEE. 

ROBERT  EDWARD  LEE,  a  distinguished  general 
and  the  idol  of  the  Southern  Confederacy,  was  bprn 
on  January  19,  1807,  at  Stratford  House,  in  West- 
moreland County,  Virginia.  His  father  was  General 
Henry  Lee,  the  famous  "  Light  Horse  Harry,"  of  Revolu- 
tionary times.  His  mother  was  Matilda,  daughter  of 
Philip  Ludwell  Lee.  No  brighter  name  appears  in  Amer- 
ican history  than  that  of  Lee.  Richard  Lee,  an  ancestor, 
settled  in  Virginia  during  the  reign  of  Charles  I.  and 
occupied  a  prominent  and  honorable  position  in  colonial  af- 
fairs, and  his  descendants  have  maintained  the  reputation 
of  the  family  name. 

Young  Lee  was  but  eight  years  of  age  when  the  British 
ravaged  the  southern  coast  and  burned  the  city  of  Wash- 
ington. He  was  twelve  years  old  when  his  father  died, 
and  eighteen  when  he  entered  the  United  States  Military 
Academy  at  West  Point.  His  conduct  during  his  entire 
course  at  this  institution  was  exemplary  in  the  highest 
degree.  He  never  used  intoxicating  liquor  or  tobacco;  he 
never  received  a  reprimand  or  a  demerit,  and  he  stood  at 
the  head  of  his  class  from  first  to  last.  He  graduated 
on  July  4,  1829,  and  was  at  once  appointed  to  the  corps 
of  Topographical  Engineers.  He  made  a  brilliant  mar- 
riage in  1832,  and  in  course  of  time  two  of  his  three 
sons  became  major-generals  in  the  Confederate  army. 

Lieutenant  Lee  continued  to  follow  his  chosen  profes- 


184         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

sion,  and  in  1838,  reached  the  grade  of  captain.  He  sup- 
erintended many  important  operations  in  different  parts 
of  the  country,  and  when  the  Mexican  War  broke  out,  was 
made  chief  of  engineers  under  General  Scott.  He  served 
in  that  war  with  distinction  and  was  twice  promoted.  Gen- 
eral Scott  esteemed  him  highly,  and  in  after  years  said: 
"  Lee  is  the  greatest  military  genius  in  America." 


In  1852,  Colonel  Lee  was  superintendent  of  the  Mili- 
tary Academy  at  West  Point.  He  held  this  position  for 
three  years.  When  John  Brown  captured  the  United 
State  arsenal  at  Harper's  Ferry,  in  1859,  Lee  was  sent  to 
recover  the  arsenal.  With  a  detachment  of  marines,  he 
attacked  and  captured  Brown  and  his  party,  and  turned 
them  over  to  the  civil  authorities.  He  then  served  in 
Texas,  but  in  1860,  was  in  Virginia  on  leave  of  absence. 


General  Robert  E.  Lee. 


185 


186         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

Lee  early  cast  in  his  fortunes  with  his  native  state. 
Untiring  efforts  were  made  to  retain  him  in  the  old  ser- 
vice, but  he  said,"  How  can  I  draw  my  sword  upon  Vir- 
ginia— my  native  state."  He  resigned  from  the  United 
States  army  April  20,  1861,  and  was  at  once  appointed 
commander  of  the  Virginia  forces.  It  was  not  without 
a  long  and  bitter  struggle  that  he  left  the  flag  under  which 
he  had  fought  from  early  manhood,  to  serve  under  the 
"  Stars  and  Bars,"  but  he  held  that  his  first  duty  was  to 
his  state;  she  had  called  her  children  to  take  up  arms  in 
her  defence,  and  her  cry  could  not  go  unheeded. 

For  a  time  he  held  no  important  command,  but  on  June 
3,  1862,  he  was  made  commander  of  the  Confederate  army 
of  Northern  Virginia.  This  position  he  held  throughout 
the  war.  In  the  same  month  in  which  he  assumed  com- 
mand of  this  army,  Lee  administered  blow  after  blow  upon 
McClellan,  who  was  opposed  to  him,  and  forced  him  to  re- 
treat to  the  James  Kiver.  McClellan,  however,  stood  his 
ground  at  Malvern  Hill,  and  Lee's  impetuous  columns 
were  beaten  back  at  that  time.  Lee  then  joined  "  Stone- 
wall "  Jackson  and  whipped  Pope  on  the  old  battlefield  of 
Bull  Run.  He  next  invaded  Maryland,  and  Jackson  cap- 
tured Harper's  Ferry.  Then  followed  the  battle  of  Stone 
Mountain  and  the  bloody  field  of  Antietam,  after  which 
he  retreated  across  the  Potomac.  At  Fredericksburg,  Lee 
administered  a  crushing  defeat  to  the  Union  forces  under 
Burnside,  and  at  Chancellorsville,  while  he  won  a  victory, 
it  cost  him  the  life  of  Jackson  and  ten  thousand  gallant 
men. 

Lee's  invasion  of  Pennsylvania  resulted  in  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg,  which  was  a  victory  for  the  Union  forces. 


187 


188         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

Lee  withdrew  up  the  Valley  of  Virginia,  followed  by 
Meade.  In  1864,  Grant  moved  towards  Richmond.  Lee 
struck  him  a  terrible  blow  in  the  densely  wooded  region, 
known  as  the  Wilderness.  The  combat  was  one  of  the 
bloodiest  of  the  war,  and  lasted  for  three  days,  but  was 
indecisive  in  its  results.  Lee  won  at  Spottsylvania  Court 
House,  and  repelled  Grant's  attack  upon  his  entrench- 
ments at  Cold  Harbor,  but  was  compelled  to  retreat  from 
Petersburg.  The  Confederate  army  was  brave  as  ever, 
but  was  wasted  by  sickness  and  death.  The  South  was 
exhausted,  not  beaten,  and  the  end  came  at  Appomattox. 
Lee  and  Grant  met  at  a  plain  country  house  there  and  ar- 
ranged the  terms  whereby  the  gallant  army  of  Northern 
Virginia  laid  down  its  arms.  Lee  said  to  them:  "  We  have 
fought  through  the  war  together.  I  have  done  the  best 
I  could  for  you." 

After  the  war,  General  Lee  became  president  of  Wash- 
ington College,  Lexington,  Va.  His  death  occurred  st  that 
place  October  12,  1870. 


Thomas  J.  Jackson.  189 


THOMAS  J.   JACKSON. 

THOMAS  JONATHAN  JACKSON,  commonly  known 
as  "  Stonewall "  Jackson,  was  born  at  Clarksburg. 
Va.,  January  21, 1824.  He  was  left  an  orphan  at  an 
cany  age,  and  from  then  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old, 
he  worked  on  the  farm  of  an  uncle.  He  went  to  school 
when  he  could  and  studied  hard.  He  was  prompt  and 
faithful  in  all  his  duties  and  won  the  admiration  of  all 
around  him  for  the  sterling  qualities  he  manifested. 
When  but  sixteen  years  old,  the  people  of  Lewis  County 
made  him  constable  of  the  county,  and  in  spite  of  his 
youth,  he  discharged  the  duties  of  the  office  with  success. 
When  seventeen  years  of  age,  Jackson  applied  for  and 
obtained  an  appointment  to  the  United  States  Military 
Academy  at  West  Point.  He  entered  in  1842,  studied 
hard,  and  graduated  four  years  later  with  distinction. 
He  was  noted  for  the  thorough  mastery  of  any  subject 
he  attempted.  After  graduation  he  was  appointed  to  the 
First  Artillery.  This  regiment  was  then  serving  under 
General  Taylor  in  Mexico,  but  Jackson  did  not  join  it  in 
time  to  see  service  until  the  following  year,  when  he  par- 
ticipated in  the  siege  of  Vera  Cruz,  under  General  Scott. 
For  his  services  there,  he  was  promoted  to  a  first  lieuten- 
antcy.  During  the  campaign  that  resulted  in  the  fall  of 
the  city  of  Mexico,  Jackson  so  distinguished  himself  that 
he  reached  the  rank  of  major — a  series  of  promotions  un- 
equalled by  any  other  officer  in  that  army.  After  the 

1 3 — Military  Herott 


190         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

close  of  the  war  Jackson's  health  was  so  impaired  that  he 
resigned  his  commission.  In  1851,  he  became  a  professor 
in  the  Virginia  Military  Institute,  at  Lexington,  also  an 
instructor  in  artillery  tactics.  It  is  said  that  Major  Jack- 
son was  not  as  popular  as  some  of  the  other  professors, 
but  he  possessed  the  respect  of  his  pupils.  He  had  a 
wonderful  memory,  and  in  listening  to  a  recitation  would 
seldom  use  a  book.  He  became  an  active  and  zealous 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  was  honored  for 
his  piety. 

The  opening  of  the  Civil  War  found  Jackson  ready  to 
share  the  fortunes  of  Virginia.  Like  Lee,  he  came  to  the 
deliberate  conclusion  that  his  state  had  the  right  to  de- 
mand his  services.  His  first  duties  were  in  drilling  the 
raw  troops  that  poured  into  Richmond  from  all  parts  of 
the  state.  In  June,  1861,  he  destroyed  the  railroad  at 
Martinsburg,  and  later  checked  the  advance  of  the  Union 
forces  at  Falling  Waters.  At  the  Battle  of  Bull  Run, 
Jackson,  who  was  then  a  brigadier-general,  led  the  advance 
of  Johnston's  army  and  was  slightly  wounded.  It  was 
here  that  Jackson  gained  his  name  of  "  Stonewall."  He 
had  charged  the  Union  lines  and  saved  a  Confederate  brig- 
ade. Its  leader  then  called  to  his  own  men:  "  Look  yon- 
der! there  is  Jackson  standing  like  a  stonewall.  Let  us 
determine  to  die  here,  and  we  will  conquer.  Follow  me!" 
This  appeal  was  repeated  throughout  the  army  until  the 
name  "  Stonewall "  was  universally  applied  to  Jackson. 
He  was  made  a  major-general  after  this  battle,  and  placed 
in  command  of  the  Valley  of  Virginia.  Jackson's  work 
in  the  valley  was  arduous;  he  had  to  dispute  the  advance 
of  Fremont,  Banks  and  McDowell,  but  the  result  of  the 


General  Thomas  J.   Jackson    ("Stonewall"). 


191 


192         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

operations  there  was  that  Banks  was  whipped  at  Winches- 
ter and  fled  across  the  Potomac.  Large  quantities  of  mili- 
tary stores  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Confederates. 

In  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  Jackson  successfully  fought 
armies  much  larger  than  his  own,  and  the  campaign  closed 
with  the  battles  of  Cross  Keys  and  Port  Eepublic.  He 
then  Joined  Lee  and  decided  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor  by 
his  timely  arrival.  He  also  took  a  leading  part  in  the 
battles  of  White  Oak  Swamp  and  Malvern  Hill.  When 
Lee  invaded  Maryland,  Jackson  led  the  advance.  He  in- 
vested and  captured  Harper's  Ferry  and  then  took  part  in 
the  terrible  fight  at  Antietam.  He  commanded  the  right 
wing  at  Fredericksburg  and  beat  back  Franklin's  corps, 
repulsing  it  with  heavy  loss.  Jackson  was  conspicuous 
for  bravery  during  this  battle,  and  at  one  time,  when  the 
conflict  was  raging,  he  rode  a  short  distance  in  front  of  his 
line;  took  off  his  hat,  and  with  his  right  hand  raised  to 
heaven,  prayed  the  God  of  battles  to  be  with  the  army  that 
day. 

At  Chancellorsville,  Jackson  grappled  with  Slocum  and 
then  proposed  to  Lee  a  movement  upon  Hooker's  right. 
"  Unaware  of  impending  danger,  Howard's  corps  was  pre- 
paring supper  and  arranging  for  the  night.  Suddenly, 
with  a  yell  that  arose  above  the  bugle  calls  and  outpost 
fire,  the  flower  of  Lee's  army  fell  upon  Devens,  at  the 
extreme  of  the  Union  line.  Amid  the  pandemonium  of 
sound,  the  Unionists  flew  in  a  panic  before  the  irresistible 
onrush  of  the  Southerners.  In  a  turbulent  tide  they 
streamed  to  the  rear  and  along  the  road  to  Chancellors- 
ville, their  commander  severely  wounded;  one  third  their 
number  were  captured  or  disabled.  The  contagion  of  panic 


194         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

spread  to  Schurz's  and  \7on  Steinwehr's  divisions;  the  few 
regiments  who  stood  their  ground  crumbled  before  the 
assault  of  the  gray-coated  legions.  With  half  their  num- 
ber dead  or  dying,  they  joined  their  flying  comrades. 
Through  the  summer  twilight,  what  was  once  the  gallant 
Eleventh  still  fled  along  the  dusty  roads." 

While  reconnoitering  for  a  second  attack,  Jackson  and 
his  escort  were  mistaken  for  Union  cavalry  and  fired  upon 
by  his  own  men.  Two  of  his  staff  were  killed  and  Jack- 
son received  a  bullet  in  the  right  hand  and  two  in  the  left 
arm.  He  was  carried  to  the  rear  under  a  fearful  fire  from 
the  Union  lines.  One  of  his  litter  bearers  was  killed,  and 
the  litter  fell  to  the  ground.  His  arm  was  amputated,  and 
after  the  operation  he  seemed  to  revive,  but  pneumonia 
set  in,  the  result  of  exposure  a  few  nights  before.  On 
the  night  in  question  one  of  his  aides  offered  him  a  cape, 
as  the  general  had  no  protection  from  the  cold.  Jackson 
accepted  it,  but  in  the  night  arose  and  covered  the  young 
officer  with  it  as  he  lay  asleep,  passing  the  remainder  of 
the  night  without  covering  for  himself. 

General  Jackson  died  on  May  10,  1863,  and  among  his 
last  words  were,  "  Let  us  cross  over  the  river,  and  rest 
under  the  shade  of  the  trees." 


Nelson  A.  Miles. 


195 


NELSON  A.   MILES. 

NELSON  APPLETON  MILES  was  born  at  Westmin- 
ster, Massachusetts,  August  8,  1839.  His  father 
was  Daniel  Miles,  a  sterling,  resolute  man,  a  de- 
scendant of  Rev.  John  Miles,  a  Welsh  clergyman,  an  Indian 
fighter  and  a  schoolmas- 
ter. His  grandfather  and 
great  -  grandfather  took 
part  in  the  battles  of  Lex- 
ington a"nd  other  engage- 
ments during  the  Revo- 
lutionary War.  His 
mother,  Mary  Curtis,  was 
a  noble  Christian  woman, 
a  descendant  of  William 
Curtis,  who  settled  in 
Boston  in  1632. 

General  Miles'  own  ac- 
count of  his  childhood 
tells  us  that  it  was  an 
ideal  one.  "  From  my 
earliest  recollection  I 
have  felt  at  home  on 
horseback."  He  adds: 
"  I  first  rode  in  front  of  my  father  with  his  arms  about 
me;  afterward  behind  him,  holding  on  with  my  arms;  later 
alone,  clinging  to  the  mane.  I  was  given  a  horse  and  rode 
him  and  managed  him  at  the  age  of  six.  I  became  at  an 


General  Nelson  A.  Miles. 


196         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

early  age  passionately  fond  of  coasting,  skating,  ball-play- 
ing, swimming,  hunting  and  trapping,  and  many  a  day 
was  delightfully  spent  in  exploring  the  surrounding  coun- 
try, with  a  favorite  dog  as  my  only  companion." 

Miles'  education  was  derived  from  the  district  school 
in  the  neighborhood  of  his  father's  farm,  and  later  at  an 
academy.  He  exhibited  a  tendency  for  a  military  life, 
but  no  opportunity  offered  itself  in  that  direction,  and  at 
sixteen  years  of  age  he  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  in 
the  city  of  Boston.  He,  however,  found  time  to  study 
military  history  and  art  and  devoted  a  portion  of  his  time 
to  military  drill. 

Early  in  1861,  Miles  recruited  a  company  of  volunteers, 
was  chosen  captain,  commissioned  by  the  governor  of  the 
state,  and  duly  mustered  into  the  United  States  service. 
He  was  then  a  smooth-faced  young  man  of  twenty-one 
years,  eager  for  service  against  the  enemies  of  .his  country. 
He  began  his  military  service,  however,  as  a  first  lieuten- 
ant in  the  Twenty-second  regiment  of  Massachusetts  Vol- 
unteers, commanded  by  Colonel  Henry  Wilson,  who  after- 
wards became  vice-president  of  the  United  States.  The 
reason  for  his  reduction  in  rank  was  that  the  governor 
recalled  his  commission,  and  gave  it  to  a  political  friend, 
alleging  Miles'  youth  as  his  reason  for  the  acton.  Miles 
would  not  abandon  the  service  he  had  undertaken,  and, 
though  feeling  the  injustice  deeply,  started  upon  that  ca- 
reer that  brought  him  eventually  to  the  proud  position  of 
general-in-chief  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States. 

In  1862,  Miles  was  the  colonel  of  the  Sixty-first  New 
York  Volunteers;  became  a  brigadier-general  in  May,  1864; 
a  major-general  the  following  year.  He  served  with  dis- 


Nelson  A.  Miles.  197 

tinguished  bravery  at  Williamsburg  and  the  terrible  fight- 
ing at  Seven  Pines,  was  wounded  at  Fair  Oaks,  and  partici- 
pated with  great  credit  in  the  other  battles  of  the  Peninsur 
lar  campaign.  He  was  seriously  wounded  at  Fredericksburg 
and  again  at  Chancellorsville,  where  his  hurt  was  supposed 
to  be  mortal.  He  recovered,  however,  and  took  an  active 
part  in  the  campaign  of  1864  and  also  that  of  1865.  For 
a  time,  he  was  in  command  of  the  Second  Army  Corps,  the 
largest  body  of  men  ever  commanded  by  a  young  man  of 
twenty-five  years.  After  the  Civil  War,  General  Miles  was 
commissioned  a  colonel  and  brevet-major-general  in  the  reg- 
ular army,  and  in  1869,  commanded  the  First  United  States 
Infantry. 

"  Thenceforward,"  in  his  own  words  again,  "  I  continued 
to  serve  west  of  the  Missouri  until  the  fall  of  1890,  a  per- 
iod of  nearly  twenty-two  years."  Afterwards,  he  was  sent 
to  Europe  to  observe  the  Turco-Grecian  war  as  the  repre- 
sentative of  the  United  States,  and  in  the  same  capacity 
was  present  at  Queen  Victoria's  Diamond  Jubilee,  in  1897. 

General  Miles  successfully  conducted  many  Indian  cam- 
paigns. He  prevented  many  Indian  wars  by  a  judicious 
and  humane  settlement  of  difficulties,  without  displaying 
military  force,  and  was  thanked  by  many  states  and  ter- 
ritories. 

In  1898,  when  the  United  States  declared  war  with 
Spain  on  account  of  the  cruelties  practiced  by  the,  latter 
nation  in  Cuba,  General  Miles  was  at  the  head  of  the 
armies  of  the  United  States.  He  did  not  take  the  field, 
however,  until  July  7th,  when  he  sailed  with  reinforce- 
ments for  the  armv  in  Cuba.  He  arrived  before  Santiago 
four  days  later  and  assumed  charge  of  affairs.  At  that 


198         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

time,  negotiations  were  going  on  between  General  Shafter 
and  the  Spanish  General  Toral,  relative  to  the  surrender 
of  the  latter's  army  and  the  city  of  Santiago.  Miles  at 
once  took  the  matter  in  hand,  having  full  authority  from 
the  Secretary  of  War  to  do  so.  Shafter,  who  had  bungled 
the  whole  campaign,  was  afraid  of  being  superseded  and 
was  inclined  to  make  trouble.  Eventually  Miles  sent  him 
the  following  frank  and  manly  telegram,  which  settled  the 
matter.  Miles  was  then  at  Plaza  del  Este: 

"Have  no  desire  and  have  carefully  avoided  any  ap- 
pearance of  superseding  you.  Your  command  is  a  part  of 
the  United  States  Army  which  I  have  the  honor  to  com- 
mand, having  been  duly  assigned  thereto,  and  directed 
by  the  President  to  go  wherever  I  thought  my  presence 
required,  and  give  such  general  directions  as  I  thought 
best  concerning  military  matters,  and  especially  to  go  to 
Santiago  for  a  specific  purpose. 

"  You  will  also  notice  that  the  orders  of  the  Secretary 
of  War,  of  July  13,  left  the  matter  to  my  discretion.  I 
should  regret  that  any  event  should  cause  either  yourself 
or  any  part  of  your  command  to  cease  to  be  a  part  of 
mine." 

The  matter  referred  to  was  the  surrender  of  General 
Toral,  who  had  stated  that  so  long  as  he  had  rations  and 
ammunition,  he  would  have  to  fight  in  order  to  maintain 
the  honor  of  the  Spanish  army.  Miles  informed  him  that 
he  had  already  done  so,  and  that  further-,  efforts  would 
result  in  the  wanton  sacrifice  of  human  life.  Toral  sur- 
rendered, and  the  American  forces  entered  Santiago  on 
July  17.  Miles  did  not  receive  the  surrender  himself,  gen- 
erously leaving  that  honor  to  Shafter.  From  the  moment 


Nelson  A.  Miles.  199 

he  arrived  in  Cuba  he  was  charged  with  the  responsibility 
of  ordering  an  attack  upon  the  Spanish  entrenchments — 
which  would  have  cost  several  thousand  lives — or  of  with- 
holding it.  No  greater  discretion  was  ever  given  to  any 
general  commanding  an  army.  He  was  also  authorized 
to  receive  the  surrender  of  the  Spanish  forces,  but  he  al- 
lowed the  honor  to  pass  to  another. 

General  Miles  took  charge  of  the  army  that  invaded 
Porto  Rico.  The  advance  guard  reached  the  port  of 
Guanica  on  July  25.  The  campaign  was  brief  and  pecu- 
liar, the  Spanish  forces  offering  a  stubborn  resistance,  while 
the  inhabitants  welcomed  the  invading  army  with  open 
hands.  A  few  days  after  the  first  landing,  General  Miles 
telegraphed  the  War  Department  in  part: 

"  Spanish  troops  are  retreating  from  southern  part  of 
Porto  Rico.  Ponce  and  port  have  a  population  of  fifty 
thousand  now  under  American  flag.  The  populace  re- 
ceived the  troops  and  saluted  the  flag  with  wild  enthusi- 
asm. Navy  has  several  prizes,  also  seventy  lighters.  Rail- 
way stock,  partly  destroyed,  now  restored.  Telegraph 
communication  also  being  restored.  Ca"ble  instruments 
destroyed.  Have  sent  to  Jamaica  for  others.  This  is  a 
prosperous  and  beautiful  country.  The  army  will  soon 
be  in  the  mountain  region;  weather  delightful;  troops  in 
the  best  of  health  and  spirits!  anticipate  no  insurmount- 
able difficulties  in  the  future.  Results  thus  far  have  .been 
accomplished  without  the  loss  of  a  single  life." 

General  Miles  issued  a  proclamation  to  the  people  of 
Porto  Rico,  in  which  he  assured  them  that  "The  chief 
aim  of  the  American  military  forces  will  be  to  overthrow 
the  authority  of  Spain  and  give  the  people  of  your  beau- 


200         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

tiful  island  the  largest  measure  of  liberty  consistent  with 
this  military  occupation."  Town  after  town  surrendered 
to  the  Americans,  and  on  August  28  General  Miles  in- 
formed those  under  his  command  that  hostilities  had  been 
suspended.  This  information  did  not  reach  General  Schwan 
until  two  days  later,  and  meanwhile  that  officer  was  en- 
gaged with  some  Spanish  forces.  Upon  receipt  of  the 
news,  he  sent  a  flag  of  truce  to  the  enemy's  line  informing 
the  officer  in  command  that  peace  negotiations  were  nearly 
concluded.  The  Spaniard  would  not  believe  it,  however, 
until  he  had  communicated  with  the  governor-general  at 
San  Juan.  When  he  was  informed  from  there  that  the 
information  was  really  correct,  hostilities  were  suspended 
in  reality.  General  Miles  returned  to  the  United  States 
and  resumed  his  duties  at  Washington. 


Joseph  Wheeler. 


201 


JOSEPH  WHEELER. 

JOSEPH  WHEELER  was  born  in  Augusta,  Georgia, 
September  10,  1836.  He  entered  the  Military 
Academy  at  West  Point  in  1854,  and  graduated  four 
years  later.  He  then 
became  a  lieutenant 
in  a  cavalry  regiment 
and  served  in  New 
Mexico.  He  cast  in 
his  fortunes  with  the 
South  in  the  Civil 
War,  and  by  his 
abilities  rose  through 
the  different  grades  of 
the  service  until,  in 
1864,  he  was  made  the 
senior  cavalry  general 
of  the  Confederate 
armies.  He  was  not 
only  a  fighter,  but  he 
was  a  strategist.  He 
was  audacious,  aggres- 


General  Joseph  Wheeler. 


sive,  and  tireless  in  his 
duties.     At  the  age  of 
twenty-six  years, he  re- 
ceived the  thanks  of  the  Confederate  Congress  for  his  de- 
fence of  Aiken,  and  the  state  of  South  Carolina  honored 


202         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

him  in  the  same  manner  for  his  achievements  on  that  oc- 
casion. His  services  to  the  Confederacy  were  inestimable, 
and  the  name  of  the  dashing  cavalryman  was  known 
throughout  the  South  as  a  household  word. 

Wheeler  fought  at  Pensacola,  and  captured  General 
Frentiss'  brigade  at  Shiloh.  With  his  gallant  troopers  he 
turned  Rosecrans'  flank  at  Murfreesboro,  and  at  Chicka- 
mauga  he  was  successful  in  capturing  many  prisoners, 
wagons  and  war  material.  After  the  battle,  he  led  his 
swift  horsemen  in  a  famous  raid  around  the  Union  rear 
and  destroyed  twelve  hundred  wagons  loaded  with  sup- 
plies. He  was  at  Missionary  Ridge,  and  there  his  sabre 
flashed  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight.  Later  he  thwarted 
Cook's  great  raid.  Sixteen  horses  were  shot  under  him, 
and  he  was  three  times  wounded  before  the  war  closed. 

After  peace  between  the  two  warring  sections  had  been 
restored,  General  Wheeler  engaged  in  business  in  Xew 
Orleans.  He  declined  the  position  of  a  professor  anrl  c.om- 
mai.der  of  cadets  in  the  Louisiana  State  seminary.  In- 
stead, he  became  a  counsellor-at-law  and  also  a  planter. 
Later,  he  was  elected  to  Congress  and  served  in  the  House 
of  Representatives. 

When  the  war  with  Spain  broke  out,  in  1898,  General 
Wheeler  was  summoned  to  the  aid  of  the  Government, 
and,  in  spite  of  his  advancing  years,  threw  himself  into 
the  conflict  with  the  same  energv  he  had  displaved  on  the 
battlefields  of  the  Civil  War.  He  commanded  the  cavalry 
during  the  brief  campaign  in  Cuba,  and  by  his  intelli- 
gent jrrasp  of  situations  as  thev  arose,  contributed  verv 
largelv  to  the  success  of  the  American  arms.  In  that 
dismal  time,  when  many  commanders  before  Santiago  felt 


Joseph  Wheeler.  203 

that  the  American  forces  should  retreat,  the  grand  old 
cavalryman  refused  to  entertain  the  proposition.  The 
poorly  clad  and  worse  fed  heroes  were  almost  at  their  last 
exertion,  and  to  some  it  seemed  murderous  to  throw  them 
again  at  the  Spanish  defences.  The  monumental  blun- 
ders of  the  campaign  had  brought  these  to  feel  that  to 
remain  was  disaster;  to  advance  was  extinction.  "  But 
Wheeler  had  been  in  dilemnas  of  a  more  trying  sort  in  the 
Civil  War.  He  had  been  surrounded  by  the  bayonets  of 
the  Federals,  and  many  a  time  he  hatl  cut  his  way  through 
massive  ranks  that  were  quite  as  formidable  as  the  barbed 
wire  bulwarks,  stone  walls  and  clay  defences  of  the  Span- 
iards." He  wrote  to  the  commanding  officer,  "  I  presume 
the  same  influences  are  being  brought  to  bear  on  you  that 
are  working  with  me.  But  it  will  not  do.  American 
prestige  would  suffer  irretrievably  if  we  give  up  an  inch; 
we  must  stand  firm!" 

One  of  the  stories  told  of  General  Wheeler  while  in 
Cuba  is  that,  after  one  of  the  most  trying  battles,  he  or- 
dered that  trenches  should  be  dug  in  anticipation  of  the 
next  conflict.  Wheeler  was  sick  at  the  time,  but  he  rose 
from  his  cot  when  an  officer  said  to  him: 

"  General,  I  am  afraid  our  men  can't  dig  the  trenches." 

"What  men?"  asked  the  general. 

"  The  Cavalry  Division,"  was  the  reply. 

General  Wheeler  sat  up  in  bed  and  began  to  pull  on 
his  boots. 

"  Send  me  the  man,"  he  directed. 

"What  man?"  asked  the  officer. 

"The  man  who  can't  dig  the  trenches." 

"  But  it  is  not  one  man;  it  is  many  men.  They  are  just 
played  out." 


204         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

"  But  you  can  surely  find  one  man  who  says  he  can't 
dig  the  trench.  Go  get  him  and  bring  him  to  me." 

After  a  while  the  officer  appeared  with  a  colored  trooper. 

"  Are  you  the  man  who  says  he  can't  dig  those 
trenches?" 

"  I'se  one  of  them,  boss,  but  there's  a " 

"  You  go  to  sleep  now,  my  man,  and  I'll  go  up  and  dig 
your  trench  for  you.  When  the  sun  comes  up  to-morrow 
morning  the  Spaniards  are  going  to  open  on  us,  and  every 
man  who  isn't  protected  will  be  in  danger  of  getting  killed. 
The  trenches  have  to  be  dug,  and  if  you  are  unable  to  dig 
yours,  I'll  just  go  up  and  dig  it  for  you.  Where's  your 
pick?" 

For  a  half  a  minute  the  voice  of  the  trooper  stuck  vt 
his  throat,  and  then  he  said: 

"  Boss,  you  ain't  fitten  to  dig  no  trenches.  If  they  got 
to  be  dug,  I'll  just  naturally  do  it  myself.  I'm  dog  tired, 
but  that  ain't  no  work  for  you." 

The  negro  started  off,  and  Wheeler  turned  to  the  officer 
saying: 

"  He  seems  to  have  changed  his  mind.  Now  go  find 
me  another  man  who  can't  dig  the  trenches." 

The  officer  saluted  and  rode  off.  The  trenches  were 
dug  before  morning. 

It  is  said  that  the  men  under  him  were  a  study  and  de- 
light to  General  Wheeler.  They  moved  at  his  will  like 
so  many  machines.  The  fluctuating  chances  of  battle  and 
the  scarcity  of  provisions  at  times  recalled  days  in  the 
Confederacy  when  he  made  campaigning  very  serious  work 
for  the  Union  armies. 

After  ToraPs  surrender;  General  Wheeler  returned  with 


Theodore  Roosevelt.  205 

his  men  to  the  United  States  and  for  a  time  was  stationed 
at  the  camp  at  Montauk,  Long  Island.  Always  a  close 
student,  he  now  turned  to  authorship,  and  prepared  a  val- 
uable work  upon  the  operations  in  Cuba.  In  1899,  he  was 
sent  to  the  Philippine  Islands  to  assist  in  the  .suppression 
of  the  Filipino  rebellion. 


THEODORE  ROOSEVELT. 

THEODORE  ROOSEVELT  was  born  in  New  York,  Oc- 
tober 27,  1858.     He  graduated  from  Harvard  Uni- 
versity in  1880,  and  two  years  later,  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  New  York  Legislature.     Later  he  was  a  Na- 
tional Civil  Service  Commissioner,  and  then  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  New  York  Police  Board.     In  1897,  he  was 
appointed  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  but  resigned 
from  that  important  position  in  1898,  to  organize  the 
First  United  States  Volunteer  Cavalry. 

The  Roosevelt  family  dates  back  to  1648,  when  the 
Dutch  were  in  control  of  Manhattan  Island.  Theodore 
Roosevelt's  great-great-grandfather  was  Isaac  Roosevelt, 
who  was  a  member  of  the  Kingston  Convention  of  1777, 
which  framed  the  constitution  of  the  state  of  New  York, 
and  of  the  Poughkeepsie  convention  of  1786,  which  rati- 
fied the  constitution  of  the  United  States.  A  son  of  his, 
also  named  Isaac,  was  a  noted  inventor,  and  his  name  will 
always  be  associated  with  that  of  Robert  Fulton  in  the 

14 — Military  Herott 


206         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

first  practical  application  of  steam  to  navigation.  Theo- 
dore Roosevelt's  father  was  a  prominent  merchant  of  New 
York.  His  brother,  Robert  B.  Roosevelt,  was  at  one  time 
minister  to  the  Netherlands,  and  member  of  Congress. 

Before  his  participation  in  the  war  with  Spain,  in  1898, 
Roosevelt  had  been  in  public  life  for  many  years,  and  had 
made  a  name  for  himself  in  politics  and  literature.  He 
was  always  active  in  reforms,  and  was  successful  in  dis- 
closing many  municipal  abuses  in  New  York  city.  He 
brought  his  irrepressible  energies  to  the  post  of  Assistant 
Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and  later,  in  speaking  of  his  ex- 
periences in  that  position,  said:  "  One  day  last  spring, 
when  it  fell  to  my  lot  to  help  get  the  navy  ready  for  war, 
I  and  my  naval  aide,  Lieutenant  Sharpe,  went  out  buying 
auxiliary  cruisers.  On  this  particular  day  we  had  spent 
about  seven  million  dollars.  It  began  to  rain.  '  Sharpe/ 
said  I,  '  I  have  only  four  cents  in  my  pockets.  Lend  me 
a  cent  or  five  cents,  will  you,  so  that  I  can  ride  home?' 
Sharpe  answered,  'I  haven't  a  single  cent.'  And  I  answered 
him, ( Never  mind,  Sharpe;  that's  why  we'll  beat  the  Span- 
iards. It  isn't  every  country  where  two  public  servants 
could  spend  seven  million  dollars  and  not  have  a  cent  in 
their  clothes  after  they  were  through.' ' 

The  regiment  raised  by  Roosevelt  became  known 
throughout  the  country  as  the  "  Rough  Riders."  It  was 
composed  of  men  from  all  ranks  and  conditions  of  life. 
Almost  in  a  day,  Roosevelt  gathered  his  motley  throng. 
The  recruits  came  from  cowboy  camps  and  college  halls, 
athletes  and  dudes,  deputy  sheriffs  from  mining  camps; 
frontiersmen,  men  of  letters,  joined  the  ranks.  Scions  of 
aristocratic  families  performed  the  menial  duties  of  camp 


THEODORE  ROOSEVEW. 


208          Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

life  as  gaily  as  they  would  participate  in  a  polo  match. 
Roosevelt  declined  the  colonelcy  of  the  regiment  and  asked 
that  it  might  be  given  to  Dr.  Leonard  Wood.  For  him- 
self, he  accepted  the  second  command.  Both  he  and  Col- 
onel Wood  drilled  the  regiment  until  it  arrived  at  a  high 
state  of  discipline.  The  camp  of  instruction  was  at  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  and  from  there  the  men  were  conveyed 
to  Tampa,  Florida,  and  soon  sent  to  Cuba  as  dismounted 
cavalry. 

On  June  22,  1898,  the  "Rough  Riders  "  disembarked 
from  the  transport  Yucatan,  at  Daiquiri,  a  few  miles  to 
the  eastward  of  Santiago,  where  there  was  an  iron  pier 
belonging  to  an  American  mining  company.  Getting 
ashore  was  no  easy  matter,  as  the  boats  were  tossed  about 
in  the  surf  that  dashed  against  the  pier,  and  the  soldiers 
were  obliged  to  throw  their  rifles  onto  the  dock,  and  then 
scramble  up  as  best  they  could.  On  June  24,  the  "  Rough 
Riders  "  had  their  first  fight.  Every  man  was  eager  for  it, 
and  marched  gaily  along.  The  day  was  swelteringly  hot, 
and  as  they  advanced  the  men  threw  away  their  blankets. 
They  toiled  on,  following  trails  that  compelled  them  to 
move  in  single  file.  Prickly  cactus  bushes  and  thick  un- 
derbrush lined  the  way  and  impeded  the  march.  Finally 
a  little  open  space  was  reached  and  shots  began  to  be  heard 
to  the  right  in  the  direction  that  had  been  taken  by  Gen- 
eral Young.  Shortly  the  crack  of  Mauser  rifles  was  heard 
and  bullets  flew  about  the  heads  of  the  men.  "  It's  up  to 
us,"  shouted  Roosevelt.  Colonel  Wood,  as  coolly  as  if 
on  parade,  commanded,  "Deploy!  lie  down!"  The  shots 
came  thicker  and  faster.  The  Spaniards  were  using 
smokeless  powder  and  could  not  be  seen. 


210         Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

Roosevelt  braved  every  form  of  danger;  men  were  drop- 
ping around  him,  and  he  had  a  narrow  escape  from  a  bul- 
let which  lodged  in  a  tree  near  his  head.  Fourteen  men 
were  killed  and  thirty-six  wounded  before  the  Spaniards, 
were  located  and  driven  back.  Sergeant  Hamilton  Fish, 
Jr.,  was  the  first  man  killed.  Captain  Capron  was  killed 
while  shouting  an  order.  After  the  Spanish  fire  slackened, 
their  troops  were  seen  running  to  a  blockhouse,  evidently 
intending  to  make  a  stand  there.  With  Roosevelt  and  Wood 
at  their  head  the  "Rough  Riders"  pursued  them,  and  poured 
a  hail  of  bullets  into  them  and  into  the  blockhouse  as  well. 
The  blockhouse  was  abandoned  when  the  Americans  were 
within  a  few  hundred  yards.  Its  defenders  fled  in  the  di- 
rection of  Santiago,  and  the  battle  of  Las  Guasimas- was  at 
an  end. 

In  a  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Colonel  Wood  said: 
"  The  fight  lasted  over  two  hours,  and  was  very  hot  and 
at  rather  close  range.  The  Spanish  used  the  volley  a 
great  deal,  while  my  men  fired  as  individuals.  We  found 
that  instead  of  fifteen  hundred  men,  we  had  struck  an  out- 
post of  several  thousand.  However,  to  cut  a  long  story 
short,  we  drove  them  steadily,  but  slowly,  and  finally  threw 
them  into  flight.  My  men  conducted  themselves  splen- 
didly and  behaved  like  veterans,  going  up  against  the 
heavy  Spanish  lines  as  though  they  had  the  greatest  con- 
tempt for  them." 

At  San  Juan,  Roosevelt  again  showed  indomitable  brav- 
ery and  pluck.  There  was  no  protection,  the  charge  was 
in  the  open.  A  hundred  feet  in  the  lead  of  his  men,  he 
dashed  up  the  slope  in  the  face  of  death — men  dropping 
at  every  step.  Again  the  "Rough  Riders"  drove  the 


Theodore  Roosevelt.  211 

Spaniards  before  them,  and  as  they  fled  coolly  picked  them 
off.  They  suffered  severely,  but  no  troops  ever  behaved 
better  under  fire.  Colonel  Wood  was  promoted  to  be  a 
brigadier-general  and  Roosevelt  was  made  a  colonel. 
Roosevelt  returned  to  the  United  States  with  his  men  and 
the  famous  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  service.  Roose- 
velt took  leave  of  each  man  personally.  No  such  body  of 
men  were  ever  gathered  together  before.  Wherever  stor- 
ies of  brave  and  dashing  deeds  are  told,  those  of  Roose- 
velt and  his  "  Rough  Riders  "  will  not  be  omitted. 

In  1899  Theodore  Roosevelt  was  elected  governor  of  the 
state  of  New  York. 

The  popular  demand  that  Roosevelt  should  have  a  place 
on  the  Republican  ticket  resulted  in  his  nomination  for 
Vice-President  by  the  same  convention  that  nominated 
William  McKinley  as  President  in  1900.  He  was  elected, 
and  the  dignity  with  which  he  presided  over  the  Senate 
during  the  session  of  1901  and  the  clear  comprehension 
of  his  duties  which  he  displayed,  made  a  favorable  im- 
pression upon  that  body  and  further  endeared  him  to 
the  country.  When,  then,  by  the  death  of  President 
McKinley,  his  office  devolved  upon  Vice-President  Roose- 
velt, the  people  of  the  United  States,accepted  the  change 
without  fear  or  apprehension. 


212  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 


HENRY  W.   LAWTON. 

HENRY  W.  LAWTON,  a  brilliant  and  successful 
officer,  was  born  at  Manhattan,  Ohio,  March  17th, 
1843.  He  was  a  tall,  black-eyed  boy,  fitting  himself 
for  a  collegiate  course  at  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana,  when  Cap- 
tain Elmer  E.  Ellsworth  visited  that  town  with  his  com- 
pany of  Zouaves,  shortly  before  the  Civil  War,  and  gave  an 
exhibition  of  their  wonderful  drill.  In  Fort  Wayne,  as  in 
many  other  towns,  the  inhabitants  went  wild  over  the  dash- 
ing performances  and  novel  drill  of  this  famous  organiza- 
tion. Independent  companies,  modeled  on  the  plan  of  the 
picturesquely-clad  Zouaves,  were  formed,  and  in  one  of 
these  young  Lawton  developed  the  military  instincts  of  his 
nature. 

In  April,  1861,  Indiana  was  called  upon  for  three- 
months'  regiments,  to  aid  in  suppressing  the  threatened  se- 
cession movement  in  the  South,  and  Lawton  was  one  of  the 
first  to  enlist.  His-  fitness  for  rank  and  command  were 
noticeable,  and  he  was  quickly  made  a  sergeant  in  Company 
E,  Ninth  Indiana  Volunteers.  In  after  life  Lawton  said 
of  his  first  service: 

"  I  never  had  so  much  rank  since.  I  was  impatient  to 
learn  it  all,  but  I  soon  saw  how  much  there  was  that  I 
didn't  understand.  I  had  the  company  drill  pretty  pat,  but 
of  guard  mounting,  picket  and  outpost  duty,  and  many 
other  things,  I  absolutely  knew  nothing." 


Henry  W.  Lawton. 


213 


Sergeant  Lawton's  first  term  of  enlistment  ended  with- 
out any  startling  episode,  and  he  returned  home.  A  dis- 
tinguished army  officer,  who  had  many  opportunities  for 
observing  the  career  of  the  young  subaltern,  once  said  of 
him: 

"  I  remember  Lawton  in  1861  very  well.  I  think  he 
had  the  biggest,  black- 
est eyes  I  ever  saw  in 
a  boy's  head.  He  was 
a  pale,  slender  young- 
ster, but  he  made  up 
for  his  possible  lack  of 
blood  by  an  indomit- 
able energy,  that  has 
grown  with  his  growth 
and  become  greater 
with  his  strength.  He 
was  a  most  careful 
military  student,  too, 
and  one  far  beyond  his 
years.  He  used  often 
to  puzzle  me  with 
difficult  tactical  ques- 
tions. I  think  when  his  three  months'  service  was  ended 
he  was  as  fine  a  tactical  officer  in  the  school  of  the  company 
and  battalion  as  I  have  ever  seen ." 

Lawton  was  determined  to  obtain  a  commission,  and  soon 
after  his  return  to  his  home,  he  again  enlisted,  and  was 
made  a  first  lieutenant  in  the  Thirtieth  Indiana — the 
youngest  officer  in  the  regiment.  He  served  in  Kentucky 
at  first,  and  afterwards  in  Tennessee,  and  did  good  work  at 


General  Henry  W.  Lawton. 


21-i  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

the  fight  of  Pittsburg  Landing.  He  was  at  Corinth  and 
luka,  and  in  the  last  days  of  the  war  led  his  regiment  on 
several  battlefields.  His  commission  as  captain  came  to 
him  soon  after  his  nineteenth  birthday.  In  speaking  of 
the  incident  in  after  years,  he  said: 

"  1  had  been  commanding  my  company  for  some  time, 
and  I  knew  1  would  receive  the  formal  promotion,  for  my 
immediate  superiors  had  all  endorsed  me  in  the  most  favor- 
able terms.  But  I  had  not  the  formal  warrant  to  assume 
the  rank.  When  it  was  handed  to  me,  I  would  not  have  ex- 
changed places  with  King  or  Kaiser.  1  was  nineteen  years 
old,  and,  although  my  upper  lip  was  as  bare  as  a  girl's,  I  was 
a  captain  in  a  fighting  regiment.  It  was  then  that  I  felt 
that  if  I  had  a  vocation  for  anything  on  earth,  it  was  the 
life  of  a  soldier.  Then  and  there  I  determined  to  make  the 
service  of  my  country  my  life's  work." 

After  the  Civil  War  Lawton  became  a  second  lieutenant 
in  the  Regular  Army,  and  was  sent  to  the  frontier.  There 
he  gained  a  great  reputation  as  an  Indian  fighter.  His 
general,  himself  as  gallant  a  soldier  as  ever  wore  a  sword, 
learned  to  love  and  respect  the  young  officer,  and  said  of 
him  on  one  occasion: 

"  I  like  that  new  captain  of  mine,  Lawton.  Unless  I'm 
very  wide  of  the  mark,  he  will  prove  a  great  soldier." 

Lawton's  regiment  was  in  most  of  the  Indian  campaigns 
from  1868  to  1888,  and  his  record  during  that  time  was 
splendid.  The  ambitious  young  Indian  war  chiefs,  Naches, 
Eskimizin,  Geronimo,  and  others,  were  leaving  a  trail  of 
blood  behind  them  in  Arizona,  but  all  were  eventually 
killed,  captured,  or  taken  prisoner  by  the  tireless  young 
captain  and  his  cavalrymen.  Satanta,  one  of  these  chiefs 


Henry  W.  Lawton.  215 

after  his  surrender,  said  to  General  Sherman,  pointing  to 
the  stalwart  figure  of  Lawton: 

"  Um,  him  like  Iirjun." 

"  I  think  you  are  right,  for  Lawton  is  more  like  an  In* 
dian  than  any  white  man  I  ever  saw,"  was  the  reply. 

In  the  tedious  operations  against  the  treacherous  Apaches 
of  the  Southwest,  Lawton  risked  his  life  scores  of  times, 
and  yet  came  out  unscathed  after  enduring  hardships  that 
would  have  broken  down  any  man  who  had  not  a  frame  of 
iron. 

When  the  war  with  Spain  broke  out,  in  1898,  Lawton  was 
an  assistant  inspector-general  at  Washington,  with  the  rank 
of  a  lieutenant-colonel.  lie  was  one  of  the  first  officers 
given  a  high  commission  and  put  in  charge  of  regulars.  His 
work  in  Cuba  was  without  a  flaw,  and  it  was  his  men  who 
took  El  Caney,  and  then  closed  in  on  the  city  of  Santiago 
from  the  north.  Before  leaving  for  the  seat  of  war,  Law- 
ton  said: 

"  I'm  going  to  the  field,  but  not  as  a  staff  officer.  I 
want  an  infantry  command;  a  brigade,  if  possible."  It  was 
given  to  him,  and  then  he  was  made  a  division  commander, 
showing  the  estimation  of  his  military  superiors. 

There  is  a  story  of  Lawton's  dislike  to  be  lionized.  It 
was  after  his  return  to  the  LTnited  States,  with  his  division, 
and  at  a  great  dinner,  at  which  officers  of  high  rank  in  the 
army  and  navy  were  present.  Speech  followed  speech,  and 
Lawton's  turn  came.  Rising  amid  hearty  applause,  he 
bowed  to  the  front,  to  the  right,  and  to  the  left,  and  then 
sat  down  without  a  word,  justifying  the  remark  of  a  brother 
officer,  that  he  was  "  the  most  modest  man  in  the  army.'*' 

One  of  Lawton's  own  stories  was  of  a  returned  soldier 


216  Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

from  Santiago,  who  met  profuse  admiration  with  the 
response,  "  I  ain't  no  hero;  I'm  only  a  reg'lar." 

Lawton  was  made  a  major-general  of  volunteers  for  his 
splendid  services  in  Cuba,  ?md  in  January,  1899,  was  sent 
to  the  Philippines,  to  assist  in  putting  down  the  insurrec- 
tion under  Aguinaldo.  In  this  duty  he  employed  the  same 
persistent,  aggressive  tactics  which  he  had  used  in  Arizona. 
The  Filipino  strongholds  one  by  one  fell  before  his  ener- 
getic assaults,  and  he  received  the  personal  thanks  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States  for  his  capture  of  the  rebel 
position  at  San  Isidro.  He  fought  Aguinaldo's  bandits  at 
the  head  of  his  men,  and  it  was  while  pursuing  one  of  these 
bands  that  he  met  his  death,  in  a  skirmish  near  San  Mateo, 
on  December  18th,  1899.  He  was  utterly  fearless  of  bul- 
lets, and  when  he  was  reminded,  in  his  last  fight,  that  he 
was  a  prominent  mark  for  sharpshooters,  he  only  laughed. 
He  received  his  death  wound  while  bending  over  a  wounded 
comrade. 

One  who  knew  General  Lawton  well,  and  was  in  close 
contact  with  him  in  the  Philippines,  said: 

"His  bravery  was  something  more  than  mere  fearless- 
ness. The  night  before  I  left  Manila  I  begged  him,  as  hia 
friends  had  begged  of  him  hundreds  of  times  before,  to  be 
more  careful  about  exposing  himself  to  the  fire  of  the 
enemy.  At  that  time  he  had  been  seriously  exposed  on 
twenty-eight  different  occasions  since  his  arrival  in  the 
Philippines,  and  I  told  him  he  ought  not  to  do  it.  He  told 
me  that  he  felt  it  necessary  that  he  should  personally  direct 
every  movement.  Furthermore,  he  knew  that  so  long  as 
he  was  with  them,  his  men  would  never  fail  to  respond  to 
any  request  or  call  that  might  be  made  upon  them,  and  his 


218          Military  Heroes  of  the  United  States. 

personal  bravery  was  an  inspiration  to  every  soldier  in  his 
command.  He  told  me  that  he  had  not  an  anxious  thought 
for  himself;  that  he  had  been  a  soldier  all  his  life,  and 
would  gladly  die  a  soldier's  death;  but  he  thought  of  what 
might  be  in  store  for  his  wife  and  children  if  he  should  be 
taken,  and  this  weighed  heavily  upon  him/' 

The  nation  suffered  a  great  loss  in  the  death  of  General 
Lawton,  but  it  amply  provided  for  his  family,  expressions 
of  sympathy  and  a  willingness  to  co-operate  in  the  raising 
of  a  fund  for  their  relief  coming  in  from  all  parts  of  the 
country.  This  fund  eventually  reached  the  sum  of  nearly 
one  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

General  Lawton  had  a  striking  personality.  He  was 
above  six  feet  in  height,  and  straight  as  an  arrow.  His 
hair  and  mustache  were  nearly  white,  and  his  black  eyes 
fairly  blazed  when  under  strong  excitement  or  in  an  action. 
He  was  a  medal-of-honor  man,  that  coveted  decoration 
having  been  given  to  him  "  for  distinguished  gallantry  in 
leading  a  charge  of  skirmishers  against  the  enemy's  rifle- 
pits,  taking  them,  with  their  occupants,  and  stubbornly  and 
successfully  resisting  two  determined  attacks  of  the  enemy 
to  retake  the  works."  This  incident  occurred  in  front  of 
Atlanta  in  1864. 

General  Lawton  had  none  of  the  advantages  resulting 
from  a  scientific  training  at  AVest  Point.  Instead,  he  fought 
his  way  up,  step  by  step,  through  the  display  of  qualities 
that  could  not  be  passed  by.  No  finer  type  of  a  self-devel- 
oped American  soldier  has  been  carried  on  the  army  list  of 
the  United  States. 


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With  49  illustrations. 

CYRUS    THE    GREAT,   the    Founder    of    the    Persian 
Empire.     By  Jacob  Abbott.     With  40  illustrations. 

DARIUS  THE  GREAT,  King  of  the  Medes  and  Persians. 
By  Jacob  Abbott.     With  34  illustrations. 

XERXES    THE    GREAT,   King    of   Persia.     By  Jacob 
Abbott.     With  39  illustrations. 

ALEXANDER  THE  GREAT,   King  of  Macedon.     By 
Jacob  Abbott,    With  01  illustrations. 


ALTEMTTS'  YOTTNG  PEOPLE'S  LIBRARY.  6 

PYRRHUS,  King  of  Epirus.     By  Jacob  Abbott.    With 
45  illustrations. 

HANNIBAL,     the     Carthaginian.     By    Jacob    Abbott. 
With  37  illustrations. 

JULIUS    CAESAR,    the    Roman    Conqueror.      By   Jacob 
Abbott.     With  44  illustrations. 

ALFRED  THE  GREAT,  of  England.     By  Jacob  Abbott. 
With  40  illustrations. 

WILLIAM  THE  CONQUEROR,  of  England.     By  Jacob 
Abbott.     With  43  illustrations. 

HERNANDO  CORTEZ,  the  Conqueror  of  Mexico.     By 
Jacob  Abbott.     With  30  illustrations. 

MARY,  QUEEN  OF  SCOTS.     By  Jacob  Abbott.     With 
45  illustrations. 

QUEEN  ELIZABETH,  of  England.     By  Jacob   Abbott. 
With  49  illustrations. 

KING  CHARLES  THE  FIRST,  of  England.     By  Jacob 
Abbott.     With  41  illustrations. 

KING    CHARLES    THE    SECOND,  of   England.      By 
Jacob  Abbott.     With  38  illustrations. 

MARIA  ANTOINETTE,  Queen  of  France.     By  John  S. 
C.  Abbott.     With  42  illustrations. 

MADAME  ROLAND,  A  Heroine  of  the  French  Revolu- 
tion.    By  Jacob  Abbott.     With  42  illustrations. 

JOSEPHINE,   Empress    of   France.     By    Jacob    Abbott. 
With  40  illustrations. 


6       HENRY  ALTEMTTS  COMPANY'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

ALTEMUS'  ILLUSTRATED 

Young  People's  Histories. 

By  EDWARD  S.  ELLIS,  A.M. 


Cloth,  ornamental.     75  cents  each. 


YOUNG  PEOPLE'S  HISTORY  OF  THE  UNITED 
STATES.  164  illustrations.  Strange  adventures  and 
marvelous  achievement  crowd  its  pages ;  and  the  at- 
tainments shown  in  the  fields  of  education,  of  dis- 
covery, of  invention,  of  literature,  of  art  and  science 
are  wonderful  and  unprecedented. 

YOUNG  PEOPLE'S  HISTORY  OF  ENGLAND.  160 
illustrations.  The  aim  of  this  volume  is  to  enable  the 
reader  to  easily  acquire  a  knowledge  of  the  leading 
facts  concernfng  the  stupendous  British  Empire,  whoso 
full  history,  teeming  with  mighty  events  and  spanning 
twenty  centuries,  requires  volumes  for  the  telling. 

YOUNG  PEOPLE'S  HISTORY  OF  FRANCE.  115  Illus- 
trations. France  is  a  wonderful  nation,  and  her  history 
is  instructive,  for  it  includes  every  system  of  govern- 
ment that  the  ingenuity  of  man  has  devised.  It  is  full 
of  warnings,  too,  and  of  instructive  lessons  for  American 
youths. 

YOUNG  PEOPLE'S  HISTORY  OF  GERMANY.  112 
illustrations.  The  record  of  Germany,  now  among  the 
foremost  Powers  of  the  globe,  is  one  of  valiant  achieve- 
ment on  the  battlefield,  of  patient  suffering  under  grind- 
ing tyranny,  of  grim  resolution  and  heroic  endeavor, 
and  of  grand  triumphs  iu  art,  science,  literature,  diplo- 
macy. 


HENRY  ALTEMUS  COMPANY'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

ALTEMUS'  ILLUSTRATED 

Miscellaneous  Works, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON  JONES,  A  Christmas  Gift 
That  Went  A-Begging.  By  Ruth  McEnery  Stuart. 
Pictures  by  E.  Potthast.  Cloth  $1.00.  "  George  Wash- 
ington Jones  is  as  endearing  a  small  specimen  of  'cul- 
lud '  humanity  as  one  has  met  in  fiction  for  many  a 
year,  and  the  history  of  his  touching  attempt  to  give 
himself  away  is  told  with  a  mingling  of  humor  and 
pathos  that  is  fairly  disarming." — New  York  Evening 
Post. 

GALOPOFF,  THE  TALKING  PONY.  By  Tudor  Jenks. 
Pictures  by  Howard  11.  Cork  Cloth,  $1.00.  "The 
talking  pony  is  a  character  with  whom  children  and 
other  people,  too,  would  certainly  do  well  to  have  a 
listening  acquaintance." — The  Criterion,  New  York, 
N.  Y. 

GYPSY,  THE  TALKING  DOG.  By  Tudor  Jenks.  Pic- 
tures by  Reginald  B.  Birch.  Cloth,  $1.00.  "  It  is  well 
to  read  all  that  Mr.  Jenks  tells  us  about  animals  that 
tal  k . " — Pittsburg  leader. 

"  After  reading  this  very  clever  story  children  will  wait 
for  remarks  from  their  own  pet  dogs." — Chicago  Post. 

CAPS  AND  CAPERS.  By  Gabrielle  E.  Jackson.  Pic- 
tures by  C.  M.  Relyea.  Cloth,  $1.00.  "It  is,  in  a 
modest  way,  a  girl's  'Tom  Brown,'  written  by  one 
who  knows  the  heart  of  a  girl,  and  thoroughly  appreci- 
ates it." — The  Advance,  Chicago. 


8        HENRY  ALTEMUS  COMPANY'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

FOLLY  IN  FAIRYLAND.  By  Carolyn  Wells.  Pic- 
tures by  Wallace  Morgan.  Cloth,  $1.00.  u  It  recounts 
the  adventures  of  a  little  girl  who  went  to  the  realm  of 
the  fairies,  but,  unlike  the  immortal  Alice,  her  experi- 
ences were  all  pleasant." — Chronicle,  San  Francisco,  Col. 

FOLLY  IN  THE  FOREST.  By  Carolyn  Wells.  Pic- 
tures by  Reginald  B.  Birch.  Cloth,  $1.00.  "In  Miss 
Wells'  books  there  is  always  something  going  on  from 
start  to  finish,  and  for  this  reason  they  are  as  interesting 
to  young  people  as  any  that  could  be  written." — Nash- 
ville American. 

TOMMY  FOSTER'S  ADVENTURES.  By  Fred  A.  Ober. 
Pictures  by  Stanley  M.  Arthurs.  Cloth,  $1.00.  "Tommy 
is  an  every-day,  honest,  wide-awake  little  fellow,  who 
went  out  into  the  world  by  himself  and  really  saw 
things." — Christian  Register,  Boston,  Mass. 

FOR  PREY  AND  SPOILS;  OR  THE  BOY  BUCCA- 
NEER. By  Fred  A.  Ober.  Pictures  by  Reginald  B. 
Birch.  Cloth,  $1.00.  "  A  story  comparable  in  interest 
to  Stevenson's  '  Treasure  Island.' " — Nashville  American. 

THE  LITTLE  LADY— HER  BOOK.  By  Albert  Bige- 
low  Paine.  With  45  illustrations  by  Louise  Heustis, 
Mabel  Humphrey,  and  others.  Cloth,  $1.00.  Helen 
Leah  Reed  in  her  list  of  thirty  best  books  for  young 
readers  in  the  Clubwoman  says :  "  The  Little  Lady — Her 
Book,  by  Albert  Bigelow  Paine,  has  all  the  charm  of 
Mr.  Paine's  previous  books.  They  are  especially  appre- 
ciated by  the  youngest  readers,  and  are  also  well 
adapted  to  reading  aloud." 

THE  ARKANSAW  BEAR.  By  Albert  Bigelow  Paine. 
With  35  illustrations  by  Frank  Ver  Beck.  Cloth,  $1.00. 
In  this  witty  and  ingenious  book  a  little  boy  and  a  big 
black  bear  become  companions  in  adventures  that  are 
always  diverting,  sometimes  pathetic,  but  never  tragic. 


HENRY  ALTEMUS  COMPANY'S  PUBLICATIONS.        9 

WINGS  AND  FETTERS.  A  Story  for  Girls.  By  Flor- 
ence Morse  Kingsley,  author  of  "Titus,"  "Paul," 
"Stephen,  "etc.  Pictures  by  Reginald  B.  Birch.  Cloth, 
$1.00.  The  heroine  is  an  attractive  young  woman  of 
nineteen,  who  sacrifices  a  life  of  case  to  care  for  an 
invalid  aunt  and  her  daughter. 

STEPHEN,  A  SOLDIER  OF  THE  CROSS.  By  Florence 
Morse  Kingsley.  Cloth,  ornamental,  illustrated  in 
color,  $1.00. 

THE  CROSS  TRIUMPHANT.  By  Florence  Morse  Kings- 
ley.  Cloth,  ornamental,  illustrated  in  color,  $1.00. 

POLLY  PERKINS'  ADVENTURES.  By  E.  Louise  Lid- 
dell.  Cloth,  illustrated,  $1.00.  "A  mere  mention  of 
the  names  of  its  principal  characters  should  be  sufficient 
to  recommend  the  book  to  the  little  folk — as  well  as  to 
many  of  the  grown-ups  who  still  preserve  tender  recol- 
lections of  mamma's  stories  at  sleepy-time." — Ledger 
Monthly,  New  York. 

RATAPLAN,  A  ROGUE  ELEPHANT,  AND  OTHER 
STORIES.  By  Ellen  Velvin,  F.  Z.  S.  Illustrations  in 
color  by  Gustavo  Verbeek.  Cloth,  $1.00.  "  We  know 
of  no  recent  children's  book  that  we  would  more 
quickly  or  more  confidently  give  to  a  child." — Chicago 
Itecord- Herald. 

DOUGHNUTS  AND  DIPLOMAS.  By  Gabriello  E. 
Jackson.  Pictures  by  C.  M.  Relyea.  Cloth,  $1.00. 
The  heroine  is  an  energetic  piece  of  femininity  and 
manages  an  incapable  mother  and  a  fatherless  family  in 
such  a  capable  way  as  to  obtain  the  education  she  covets. 
Eventually  she  makes  doughnuts  in  the  Adirondacks 
to  enable  her  to  acquire  a  diploma  in  the  University  of 
Michigan, 


10       HENRY  ALTEMUS  COMPANY'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

HALF-A-DOZEN  HOUSEKEEPERS.  By  Kate  Doug- 
las Wiggin.  Pictures  in  color  by  Mills  Thompson. 
Cloth,  75  cents.  "An  animated  record  of  girlish  fun 
and  frolic,  simple,  natural  and  attractive." — Boston 
Transcript. 

THE  WANDERINGS  OF  JOE  AND  LITTLE  EM.  By 
Albert  Bigelow  Paine.  Pictures  by  J.  Connacher. 
Cloth,  50  cents.  "A  pretty,  pathetic  story  of  a  'boy 
prodigy  of  song,'  who,  left  an  orphan  with  his  little 
sister,  decides  to  walk  to  New  York  and  begin  his 
studies  there.  Joe  and  Little  Em  are  sure  to  make  as 
many  warm  friends  in  the  telling  of  this  story  as  they 
made 'on  the  road,'  where  Joe's  wonderful  voice  won 
all  hearts." — Pittsburg  Bulletin. 

MARY  AUGUSTA'S  PRICE.  By  Sophie  Swett.  Cloth, 
illustrated,  50  cents.  Of  course  Mary  Augusta  is  the 
heroine — her  name  in  full  was  Mary  Augusta  Wing — 
and  her  aspirations,  struggles,  and  development  into  a 
successful  business  woman  are  told  as  only  Miss  Swett 
can  tell  them. 

HOW  BESSIE  KEPT  HOUSE.  By  Amanda  M.  Doug- 
las. Cloth,  illustrated,  50  cents.  Bessie  kept  house  for 
her  father  and  brothers  and  sisters  while  her  mother 
went  on  a  visit.  She  had  pleaded  hard  to  be  allowed  to 
do  this ;  but  somehow  many  things  went  wrong.  What 
those  things  were  and  how  her  experiences  became  of 
the  greatest  value  to  her,  one  must  read  to  find  out. 

TRIF  AND  TRIXY.  By  John  Habberton.  Cloth,  50 
cents.  A  story  of  a  dreadfully  delightful  little  girl  and 
her  adoring  and  tormented  parents,  relatives  and 
friends. 

DON'TS  FOR  GIRLS.  A  Manual  of  Mistakes.  By 
Minna  Thomas  Antrim.  Cloth,  50  cents.  Ooze  calf, 
gilt  top,  boxed,  $1.00.  The  book  is  full  of  wisdom,  but 
not  of  the  stereotyped  kind,  and  has  walked  straight, 
into  popularity. 


HENRY  ALTEMUS  COMPANY'S  PUBLICATIONS.      11 

DON'TS  FOR  BOYS.  Errors  of  Conduct  Corrected.  By 
an  Old  Boy.  Cloth,  50  cents.  Ooze  calf,  gilt  top, 
boxed,  $1.00.  It  is  a  book  for  "all  sorts  and  condi- 
tions" of  boys,  but  will  be  best  appreciated  by  brainy 
young  Americans  who  do  not  relish  long-winded  advice, 
but  welcome  "  snappy"  paragraphs  that  appeal  to  their 
good  sense. 

POOR  BOYS'  CHANCES.  By  John  Habberton,  author 
of  "  Helen's  Babies."  Cloth,  136  illustrations,  50  cents. 
"We  tried  it  on  the  office  boy,  who  is  ambitious  and 
industrious,  and  will  some  day  be  a  great  newspaper 
proprietor.  When  asked  what  he  thought  of  the  book 
he  replied :  '  Fine.'  The  book  is  a  great  acquisition  to 
any  boy." — Cincinnati  Times-Star. 

SEA  KINGS  AND  NAVAL  HEROES.  By  Hartwell 
James.  Cloth,  137  illustrations,  50  cents.  "  These 
stories  of  famous  sea  fights  of  the  world,  with  other 
naval  adventures  and  enterprises,  are  important  as  a 
branch  of  education,  giving  as  they  do  adequate  ideas 
of  great  events  and  clear  conceptions  of  renowned  per- 
sonages. ' ' — Inter-  Ocean. 

THE  STORY  OF  THE  GOLDEN  FLEECE.  By  And- 
rew Lang.  Pictures  by  Mills  Thompson.  Cloth,  50 
cents.  It  happened  long  ago,  this  adventure  of  the 
Golden  Fleece,  but  the  fame  of  the  heroes  who  sailed 
away  to  a  distant  land  to  win  themselves  renown  for- 
ever has  lived,  having  been  told  many  times  in  story 
and  song.  Yet  who  could  tell  it  like  Mr.  Lang,  with 
his  poet's  passion  for  beauty,  his  artist's  eye  for  color 
and  detail? 

THE  LITTLE  BOY  AND  THE  ELEPHANT.  By  Gus- 
tave  Frankenstein.  Pictures  by  Gustave  Verbeek. 
Cloth,  50  cents. 

BUMPER  AND  BABY  JOHN.  By  Anna  Chapin  Ray. 
Illustrated.  Cloth,  50  cents. 

A  GOURD  FIDDLE.  By  Grace  MacGowan  Cooke.  Illus- 
trated. Cloth,  50  cents. 


12      HENRY  ALTEMUS  COMPANY'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

ALTEMUS'  ILLUSTRATED 

Good  Time  Series. 


Attractive  books  by  popular  authors,  each  containing 
qualities  which  children  are  quick  to  perceive  and 
appreciate.  They  strongly  appeal  to  those  who  judi- 
ciously select  what  children  shall  read.  Handsomely 
printed,  profusely  illustrated  and  attractively  bodnd. 
Cloth,  illuminated  covers  (5J  x  7|  inches),  50  cents  each. 

UNDER  THE  STABS.  By  Florence  Morse  Kingsley. 
Four  beautiful  stories  from  the  life  of  Jesus.  "A 
Wateh  in  the  Night."  "The  Child  in  Jerusalem." 
"The  Only  Son  of  His  Mother."  "The  Children's 
Bread."  Cloth,  50  cents. 

THE  STORY  OF  THE  ROBINS.  By  Sarah  Trimmer. 
This  story  has  received  nothing  but  praise  from  the 
greatest  critics;  and  it  has  been  illustrated  by  the  best 
artists.  Its  purpose  is  to  teach  kindness  to  animals. 
Cloth,  50  cents. 

JACKANAPES.  By  Juliana  H.  Ewing.  In  the  story  of 
"  Jackanapes,"  the  Captain's  child,  is  the  one  impor- 
tant figure.  The  doting  aunt,  the  faithful  Tony,  the 
irascible  General,  the  postman,  the  boy  trumpeter,  the 
silent  Major,  and  the  ever-dear  Lollo,  are  there,  it  is 
true,  but  they  group  around  the  hero  in  subordinate 
positions.  Cloth,  50  cents. 

THE  CHRISTMAS  STOCKING.  By  Elizabeth  Wether- 
ell.  This  story  of  the  Christmas  Stocking  has  helped 
to  make  many  children  happy,  for  without  it  many 
fathers  and  mothers  would  have  never  thought  of 
making  arrangements  for  the  visit  of  Santa  Claus. 
Cloth,  50  cents. 


HENRY  ALTEMUS  COMPANY'S  PUBLICATIONS.       13 

LADDIE.  By  the  Author  of  "  Miss  Toosey's  Mission."  A 
charming  story  that  has  been  popular  many  years,  and 
deservedly  so.  Cloth,  50  cents. 

MAKING  A  START.  By  Tudor  Jenks.  The  story  of  a 
bright  boy  who  did  not  wait  for  "  something  to  turn 
up,"  but  exercised  his  talent  for  drawing  until  he 
secured  a  good  position  on  a  great  daily  newspaper. 
Cloth,  00  cents. 

THE  STORY  OF  A  DONKEY.  By  Mine.  La  Comtesse 
«de  Segur.  In  this  book  the  donkey  tells  the  story  of 
his  life  and  adventure,  because,  as  he  says,  "  I  want 
you  to  treat  all  of  us  donkeys  kindly,  and  to  remember 
that  we  are  often  much  more  sensible  than  some 
human  beings."  Cloth,  50  cents. 

MISS  TOOSEY'S  MISSION.  By  the  Author  of  "  Laddie." 
A  delightful  and  wholesome  story  that  has  had  a  wide 
circulation  and  still  holds  its  popularity.  Cloth,  50  cents. 

JESSICA'S  FIRST  PRAYER.  By  Hesba  Strctton.  A 
beautiful  and  pathetic  story  which  appeals  to  all  chil- 
dren, and  to  older  readers  as  well.  Cloth,  50  cents. 

A  BLUE  GRASS  BEAUTY.  By  Gabrielle  E.  Jackson. 
With  the  story  of  the  "  Blue  Grass  Beauty  "  is  woven 
that  of  some  very  nice  people,  and  all  is  set  forth  in 
Mrs.  Jackson's  inimitable  manner.  It  is  far  too  good  a 
book  to  mislay.  Cloth,  50  cents. 

THE  STORY  OF  A  SHORT  LIFE.  By  Juliana  H. 
Ewing.  Many  people  admire  Leonard's  story  as  much 
as  "Jackanapes."  It  is  a  simple,  exquisitely  tender 
little  story.  Cloth,  50  cents. 

THE  ADVENTURES  OF  BARON  MUNCHAUSEN. 
By  Rudolph  Erich  Raspe.  These  stories  are  so  out- 
rageous, and  Munchausen  asserts  so  strongly  that  they 
are  all  strictly  true,  that  his  name  has  become  proverbial 
as  a  synonym  for  extravagant  boasting.  Cloth,  50  cents. 


14      HENRY  ALTEMUS  COMPANY'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

ALTEMUS'  ILLUSTRATED 

HOLLY-TREE  SERIES. 


A  series  of  good,  clean  books  for  young  people,  by  authors 
whose  fame  for  delightful  stories  is  world-wide.  They 
are  well  printed  on  fine  paper,  handsomely  illustrated, 
have  colored  frontispieces,  and  are  bound  in  cloth  deco- 
rated in  gold  and  colors,  50  cents. 

THE  HOLLY-TREE.     By  Charles  Dickens. 

THEN  MARCHED  THE  BRAVE.  By  Harriet  T. 
Comstock. 

A  MODERN  CINDERELLA.     By  Louisa  M.  Alcott. 
THE  LITTLE  MISSIONARY.    By  Amanda  M.  Douglas. 
THE  RULE  OF  THREE.     By  Susan  Coolidge. 
CHUGGINS.     By  II.  Irving  Hancock. 
WHEN  THE  BRITISH  CAME.  By  Harriet  T.  Comstock. 
LITTLE  FOXES.     By  Rose  Terry  Cooke. 

AN  UNRECORDED  MIRACLE.  By  Florence  Morse 
Kingsley. 

THE  STORY  WITHOUT  AN  END.     By  Sarah  Austin. 
CLOVER'S  PRINCESS.     By  Amanda  M.  Douglas. 
THE  SWEET  STORY  OF  OLD.    By  L.  Haskeil. 


HENRY  ALTEMUS  COMPANY'S  PUBLICATIONS.       15 

ALTEMUS'  ILLUSTRATED 

Mother  Goose  Series. 


A  series  of  entirely  new  editions  of  the  most  popular  books 
for  young  people.  Handsomely  printed  from  large, 
clear  type,  on  choice  paper;  each  volume  containing 
about  one  hundred  illustrations.  Half  vellum,  with 
illuminated  sides  j((>|  x  8|  inches),  price,  50  cents  each. 

ALADDIN;    OB,  THE  WONDERFUL  LAMP. 

OUR  ANIMAL  FRIENDS. 

BEAUTY  AND  THE  BEAST. 

BIRD  STORIES  FOR  LITTLE  PEOPLE. 

CINDERELLA;  OR,  THE  LITTLE  GLASS  SLIPPER. 

THE  HOUSE  THAT  JACK  BUILT. 

JACK  AND  THE  BEAN-STALK. 

JACK  THE  GIANT-KILLER. 

LITTLE  RED  RIDING  HOOD. 

PUSS  IN  BOOTS. 

THE  SLEEPING  BEAUTY. 

WHO  KILLED  COCK  ROBIN? 


Id      HENRY  ALTEMtfS  COMPANY'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

ALTEMUS'  ILLUSTRATED 

Wee  Books  for  Wee  Folks. 

Filled  with  charming  stories,  beautifully  illustrated  with 
pictures  in  colors  and  black  and  white.  Daintily,  yet 
durably  bound.  50  cents  each. 

NURSERY  TALES. 

NURSERY  RHYMES. 

THE  STORY  OF  PETER  RABBIT. 

THE  FOOLISH  FOX. 

THREE  LITTLE  PIGS. 

THE  ROBBER  KITTEN. 


ALTEMUS'  ILLUSTRATED 

Banbury    Cross    Series. 

This  is  a  series  of  old  favorites,  printed  on  plate  paper ;  each 
volume  containing  about  forty  beautiful  illustrations, 
including  a  frontispiece  in  colors.  Half  vellum,  with 
illuminated  sides.  Square  16mo.  Price,  50  cents  each. 

OLD  MOTHER  HUBBARD. 

CHICKEN-LITTLE. 

BLUE  BEARD. 

TOM  THUMB. 

THE  THREE  BEARS. 

THE  WHITE  CAT. 

THE  FAIRY  GIFTS. 

SNOW-WHITE  AND  ROSE-RED. 

ALADDIN,  OR  THE  WONDERFUL  LAMP. 

ALI  BABA  AND  THE  FORTY  THIEVES. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 

This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


Form  L9-Series  4939 


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